fkf commits to revamping-grassroots football

FKF, Branches Commit to Revamping Grassroots Football in Kenya

Football is one of Kenya’s most beloved and widely followed sports, capturing the passion and imagination of millions across the nation. From packed local pitches to lively fan zones during international tournaments, the sport plays a central role in Kenyan culture and daily life. However, despite its immense popularity, grassroots football development has not kept up with the game’s growing profile.

Many young talents in both rural and urban areas still lack access to quality training, proper facilities, and structured competitions that can help them reach their full potential. As a result, their chances of advancing in the sport remain limited.

FKF’s Renewed Approach to Grassroots Development

To address these ongoing gaps, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has launched a new strategy to strengthen the game’s foundation. Central to this plan is collaboration with county and regional branches, allowing them to identify, nurture, and support young players at the local level.

By investing in coaching, infrastructure, and talent development programs, FKF aims to create a sustainable football ecosystem. Ideally, this system will grow from the grassroots and directly feed into national leagues and teams.

This renewed focus marks a turning point. The goal is no longer just about producing elite players for export or national duty. It’s also about providing opportunities for youth development, community engagement, and economic growth through sport.

The Importance of Grassroots Football in Kenya

Grassroots football forms the bedrock of a thriving football culture. It helps discover and nurture young talent, offering them the chance to rise to higher levels of play. In a country where football is a national passion, it’s essential that the system is inclusive, accessible, and well-organized at its base.

Grassroots initiatives help to:

Uncover local talent: Giving young players a chance to showcase their abilities.
Promote community engagement: Building stronger links among local clubs, fans, and stakeholders.
Improve physical fitness: Encouraging youth to stay active and engaged in healthy activities.
Develop future stars: Helping players transition from local leagues into professional football.

FKF Meeting: Tackling Key Challenges

On February 15, 2025, FKF held a significant meeting with stakeholders. Attendees included FKF President Hussein Mohammed, Vice President McDonald Mariga, NEC members, secretariat staff, and chairpersons from all FKF branches. The goal was to identify and resolve the challenges hindering grassroots football and to develop strategies for revamping county and regional structures.

Restructuring County and Regional Leagues

A major point of discussion was the need to overhaul county and regional football leagues. These leagues have long suffered from poor management, inadequate funding, and lack of structure.

To counter these issues, FKF stressed the importance of building a framework that encourages healthy competition and better organization. This structure will allow players to grow and gain national visibility.

Creating a Competitive Framework

Alongside organizational changes, FKF is committed to making grassroots leagues more competitive. By adopting practices seen in national and international football, they aim to provide a professional environment for player development.

Goals for the Competitive Framework:

Ensure Fair Play: Level the playing field for all teams.
Promote Healthy Competition: Foster talent through challenging, structured leagues.
Attract Sponsorships: Encourage partnerships by raising league standards.

Strategic Partnerships for Long-Term Success

Another FKF priority is building a sustainable football system across the country. To do this, the federation is focusing on forming partnerships with local and international organizations.

On the local front, FKF is working with businesses to sponsor county leagues and youth tournaments. These collaborations not only fund football development but also give sponsors valuable brand visibility.

See also Kenya’s Budget Deficit Crisis

Internationally, FKF is seeking partnerships with global football bodies. These alliances will offer coaching guidance, referee training, and league management support. Learning from established systems will accelerate Kenya’s football growth.

FKF is also connecting with NGOs and sports agencies to secure funding for infrastructure and outreach programs. These collaborations aim to make football a force for both athletic and social development.

Boosting Infrastructure Across Counties

Quality facilities are essential for grassroots football to succeed. Yet many of Kenya’s pitches are poorly maintained, which affects player performance and match attendance.

Key Areas for Improvement:

Training Ground Renovation: Equip players with proper facilities.
Venue Upgrades: Improve safety and comfort at match venues.
Youth-Focused Spaces: Create training areas specifically for younger players.

Better infrastructure will not only raise match standards but also attract more fans to local games.

Tackling Hooliganism and Improving Safety

Football violence and hooliganism remain serious issues. To address this, FKF has introduced a range of crowd control and safety measures.

Strategies to Manage Spectators:

Matchday Stewards: Each FKF branch must provide a list of trained stewards for security.
Specialized Training: Stewards will receive training in crowd control and violence prevention.
Enhanced Security: FKF will work with local authorities to ensure safety, especially at high-risk matches.

Incentivizing High Performance at the County Level

To boost motivation, FKF President Hussein Mohammed introduced a new reward system. High-performing branches will be recognized and rewarded for their contributions to football development.

Incentives Include:

Ksh 1 Million Prize: Awarded to the top-performing FKF branch at season’s end.
Reward Criteria: Includes management quality, operations, and developmental impact.
Encouraging Best Practices: Promotes excellence in grassroots football governance.

Launch of a County-Based League

FKF has also announced a new county-based league format. Under this system, counties will hold competitions, leading up to a national inter-county tournament.

Benefits of the New League:

Talent Exposure: Players get scouted at the county level.
Cash Rewards: Winners receive Ksh 100,000.
Stronger Communities: Brings football closer to fans, increasing local involvement.

FKF President’s Vision for Grassroots Football

At the conclusion of the meeting, FKF President Hussein Mohammed emphasized the importance of grassroots football:

“Grassroots football is the heartbeat of our game. Today’s discussions mark a key step toward building a structured and sustainable system across all counties. By introducing these rewards and competitions, we aim to inspire our branches to uphold high standards and provide young players a strong platform for growth.”

Elevating Coaching and Talent Development

Coaches play a crucial role in developing players. As part of its grassroots efforts, FKF is investing in coach training and certification programs.

Coach Development Focus:

Training Courses: Helping coaches stay updated with modern techniques.
Youth Specialists: Supporting those who work directly with young players.
Talent Scouting: Developing systems to identify top prospects regionally.

More Opportunities for Youth Participation

Football offers more than athletic training—it teaches discipline, teamwork, and community values. FKF plans to increase youth involvement through various programs.

Youth Engagement Initiatives:

Tournaments: Hosting youth competitions across regions.
School Collaborations: Partnering with schools to provide football access.
Outreach Programs: Bringing football to underserved communities.

Learn more: footballkenya.org

📌 Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. The views expressed do not represent official positions of FKF unless explicitly stated. Information may change, and readers are advised to verify details with official FKF sources.