He previously played in the Football League for Walsall, Rochdale, Chester City, Darlington, Torquay United and Barnet and in the USL First Division for the Puerto Rico Islanders and Rochester Rhinos.

After graduating from the club's youth system Taiwo lost his mother to cancer, during which time he spent a month with Southern League Premier Division club Nuneaton Borough on work experience,[3] Atieno signed professional contract forms in July 2004 under then manager Paul Merson.

Atieno left Tamworth after the 2006–07 season, moving to the United States to join USL First Division team Puerto Rico Islanders.

In the 2008 campaign, Atieno scored a historic goal advancing Puerto Rico Islanders to CONCACAF Champions League group stages.

[12] He moved back to England with Conference Premier team Luton Town in March 2010 on a short-term contract, but left in July.

[16] On 11 February 2011, Atieno signed for League Two side Stevenage,[17] and made his debut the next day, starting in their 1–0 away loss at Shrewsbury Town.

[23] Atieno made his competitive debut for Torquay in the club's first game of the 2011–12 campaign, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute in a 2–2 draw at home to Burton Albion.

[1] After Kenya's immigration minister stated that Atieno had to renounce his British citizenship before he could be granted a Kenyan passport, this seemed unlikely.

[31] Though reports the following day suggested he had received his passport and could play in the World Cup qualifier against Tunisia,[32] this appeared not to have been the case.

[37] On 29 February 2012, Atieno returned to the international side after three years away, gaining his fifth cap, coming on as an 85th-minute substitute in a 2–1 win over Togo in 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.