Governor Kihika Cup 2026: Dates, Prizes and Tournament Structure Explained

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Millions of shillings in cash and other prizes are up for grabs in the Governor Susan Kihika Cup 2026, a countywide football tournament with official launch set for June 1.

Sanctioned by the Football Kenya Federation, the competition will run from Ward to County level, with teams finishing between first and fourth position receiving cash rewards at every stage.

Governor Susan Kihika said the grassroots tournament is designed to empower youth and nurture football talent, with the overall winner expected to take home KSh 1 million.

The tournament will feature both men’s and women’s teams, broadening participation across Nakuru County and ensuring inclusivity in competitive football structures from the grassroots to elite county level.

Sports executive Elga Riaga said logistical challenges delayed the kickoff, noting that funding mobilisation and stakeholder coordination were necessary to ensure a successful rollout of the tournament.

“Sports management is an expensive venture. We had to look for money and bring everybody on board,” she said during a stakeholders and county officials meeting at Afraha Stadium on Saturday.

Riaga noted that sports remains a major global employer, citing European football economies where players earn billions, underscoring the sector’s economic potential for youth in Nakuru County.

She assured participants of transparency, stating that progression through the tournament will be strictly based on merit, with only top-performing teams advancing through the competitive stages.

The minister also warned referees, teams and officials against match fixing, emphasizing that the tournament will strictly adhere to FKF and FIFA regulations governing fair play and integrity.

Chief Officer for Sports Francis Njoroge said Governor Susan Kihika’s administration had waived registration fees to ensure equal access and participation for all teams across wards.

He added that talent scouts from local and international clubs are expected to attend matches, urging players to take the competition seriously as a platform for professional opportunities.

“Sports calls for a high level of discipline. We should not witness instances where players or fans fight after losing a game,” he appealed, calling for the tournament’s success.

Njoroge said individual awards will be presented at every stage, including best player, best goalkeeper, most promising player and man of the match to recognize outstanding performance.

Nakuru FKF branch chairman Francis Oliele welcomed the initiative, describing it as aligned with the federation’s mandate to nurture and expose football talent across the country.

He noted that the tournament is the first of its scale since the advent of devolution nearly 15 years ago, marking a significant milestone in local sports development.

Oliele said the competition will follow a knockout format, with the top four teams at each stage progressing, ensuring a structured pathway from grassroots to county finals.

He cautioned that players will not be allowed to represent multiple teams, warning that violations will result in disqualification of both players and team officials.

Referee Josephine Mukungu said the tournament will create short-term employment opportunities for match officials tasked with officiating games across the county.

Austin Kariuki, captain of Kanyon All-Stars FC, said the tournament will help keep youth engaged in productive activities, reducing exposure to drugs and substance abuse.