Efforts to nurture football talent in Nakuru County received a boost after Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika launched the inaugural Nakuru County Governor’s Cup 2026 at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru City.
The Governor’s Cup is a flagship football tournament aimed at promoting sports development, nurturing talent, fostering unity among communities, and providing a platform for players to showcase their abilities.
The competition, organized through a partnership between the Nakuru County Government and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), will be played at the grassroots level, bringing together teams from villages, wards, and sub-counties before culminating in county finals.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Kihika said the county government plans to make the Governor’s Cup an annual event aimed at identifying and nurturing sporting talent while empowering young people through sports.
“My administration is committed to making the Governor’s Cup an annual event that consistently nurtures talent, scouts talent, promotes healthy competition, and strengthens community unity,” she said.
The governor announced that prizes have been set aside at various stages of the competition, with the overall winners set to receive Sh1 million.
Kihika observed that sports remain an important tool for youth empowerment, talent development, and social transformation, adding that the tournament will provide young people with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and pursue future opportunities in sports.
She explained that sports remained a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, talent identification, and social transformation, adding that they were creating opportunities for young people to showcase their abilities while opening pathways for personal growth and future success both on and off the field.
The governor also highlighted ongoing investments in sports infrastructure, including the renovation of Afraha Stadium being undertaken in partnership with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
She said the modernization of Afraha Stadium is expected to strengthen sports development by providing world-class facilities for training and competition, attracting major sporting events to Nakuru, and creating opportunities for young athletes to showcase and develop their talents.
Kihika noted that the upgraded facility will also boost sports tourism and create business opportunities for local traders and entrepreneurs during major sporting events.
Nakuru County administration is also constructing a modern stadium in Oleng’uruone as part of efforts to expand access to quality sporting facilities across the county.
The governor reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through various programmes aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities for young people.
She said the county government is implementing initiatives in areas such as music recording, textile production, skills development, and enterprise support to equip youth with marketable skills and promote self-employment.
The opening matches of the tournament produced competitive action, with Ogilgei FC defeating Wakulima FC in a penalty shootout after a closely contested match.
Kivumbini FC also advanced to the next stage after registering a 2-1 victory over Kibara FC of Kuresoi North.
The launch was attended by county government officials, FKF representatives, club officials, coaches, players, and sports stakeholders, who expressed optimism that the tournament would help identify emerging football talent while promoting social cohesion and economic activity across Nakuru County.
By Caroline Nyakio
