Africa-Press – Kenya. On any given evening across Keiyo South, football pitches are filling with noise, energy, and hope.
What began as a constituency-level tournament has become a powerful magnet for youth engagement, drawing players and spectators from every corner of the region and turning football into a gateway for opportunity.
Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo, popularly known as Sonko, is the force behind the initiative, one of the most heavily funded grassroots competitions in the country.
More than Sh30 million has been set aside for organization and rewards, with a record Sh5 million awaiting the winning team.
“We have many challenges affecting our youth and my desire is to use this tournament to mobilize our youth so that we tap and develop the soccer talents among the young people,” Sonko says, describing the tournament as a tool for both talent discovery and social guidance.
The tournament is deeply inclusive, allowing teams from all 138 polling stations to participate — ensuring that no youth group or village is left behind.
“We have ensured that all youth who are residents at each polling station have a team so that we involve and give chance to all our young people,” he added.
Sonko, a passionate football supporter of both Gor Mahia and Manchester United, says the initiative extends well beyond sports.
The tournament is being used to educate young people on drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancies, environmental conservation, and financial literacy, with tree planting and awareness campaigns built into the program.
Prize winnings will not be handed out in cash, but deposited through banking partners into team accounts to encourage responsibility and collective planning.
“Like for winners we will have the money deposited into their group account where they can come up with a revolving fund through which they can borrow money for investments and repay,” he said.
Even teams that exit early are guaranteed rewards of more than Sh100,000, ensuring benefits reach every ward and village.
The tournament is being run with guidance from the Kenya Football Federation (KFF), which will help in talent scouting and structuring standards.
“KFF will also help us in development of talents because we have scouts coming in to identify talented youth who will be assisted to grow their talents,” Sonko notes.
The finals are set for December 7, 2025, at Kaptagat Girls grounds.
As the competition progresses to the knockout stages, Sonko is already looking ahead, envisioning a sports academy in Chepkorio and expansion into other disciplines, including volleyball and women’s football.
“We do this as we encourage our youth to pursue education and also take up other opportunities provided by the government and the private sector,” he says.
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