In a bid to promote local talent and accelerate the youth’s sporting journey, the government through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has delivered an earlier promise of Sh2 million to Kabati Youth FC, Githunguri Youth FC, and the Kabati FC Academy.
Speaking at Mukerunju Stadium in Kabati, Sports and Youth Affairs PS Elijah Mwangi noted that the government will continue supporting the youth in their sporting activities.
“We are committed to nurturing talent and empowering it here in Murang’a and across the country.”
One of the teams here, Kabati Youth, plays for the National Super League (NSL), while the others play county leagues, despite having inadequate funds in the past, but with this facilitation, we are certain they will go beyond and nurture more young people.
The PS said that Mukerenju Field, where the youth in Kabati train, will be upgraded into Kabati Sports Academy to create a better environment for training and talent exhibition.
“By the end of the week, rehabilitation works in this field will commence and we will continue supporting all your activities,” he added.
Mwangi called on the youth to shun negative influence, drugs and substance abuse and instead focus on constructive activities like sports, which are well-paying globally.
Mwangi was accompanied by the Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary, Alice Wahome and the County Women Representative, Betty Maina.
The duo also reiterated government’s commitment to fulfilling its manifesto, while slamming opposition leaders for what they termed divisive politics meant to raise political temperature ahead of 2027 polls.
“The government continues to construct stadiums, affordable housing units, and markets and even supports the youth and local talent and as leaders, we are behind the president in all this so as to uplift the lives of the electorate,” said Wahome.
“We have only one duty, to fulfill what we promised because come next year, everyone will be judged depending on the work they did or did not do,” she said.
The CS noted that tribal politics should not take centre stage, as it causes division and every leader elected or not, should sieve their public utterances.
On her part, the women’s representative called on the football teams that had received the presidential support to continue nurturing more and more young people while also harnessing local talent in the area.
“We have talent here and what the young people need is support, exposure, proper facilities and training grounds and the government will continue to invest in sports infrastructure and youth programs like these,” she said
Maina also criticized opposition leaders, accusing them of engaging in premature campaigns and incitement.
“We are focused on delivering development projects to Wananchi. There is still time before the official campaign period, and we urge leaders to allow the government to work,” she said.
The women’s rep emphasised that hate speech and incitement have no place in society and called for unity and responsible leadership.
Ben Mwangi, the Chairperson Kabati Youth FC, while thanking the President for delivering the promise that was made during his Murang’a tour in April, noted that the funding will go a long way in motivating the players, strengthening the clubs and nurturing talent.
“This is a community team that has managed to play in NSL and therefore this support is an investment in the community as well,” he said.
Kabati Youth FC received Sh1 million, Kabati Sports Junior Academy received Sh500,000 and Githunguri youth received Sh500,000.
by Florence Kinyua
