Kihika Launches Governor's Cup As Winners Eye Millions In Prize Money

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has launched the inaugural Nakuru Governor’s Cup, a countywide football tournament that will see teams compete from the village level to the county finals, with the champions set to pocket Sh1 million.

The tournament, kicked off at Afraha Stadium today, is expected brings together hundreds of grassroots teams from across Nakuru County in a structured competition aimed at nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for young footballers.

Featuring both men’s and women’s teams, the competition seeks to widen participation in organized football while strengthening pathways for talent development across the county.

Organized in partnership with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the tournament will be played at village, ward and sub-county levels before culminating in county finals, making it one of the largest football competitions ever staged by the county government.

Kihika said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to use sports as a vehicle for youth empowerment, social cohesion and talent identification within local communities.

“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 noted that attractive prizes have been set aside at every stage of the competition, with teams progressing through successive rounds as organizers work to establish a sustainable sporting calendar across Nakuru.

The launch attracted local leaders, sports officials, coaches and players, many of whom welcomed the tournament as a timely opportunity to expose emerging talent and increase participation in competitive football.

Nakuru FKF branch chairman Francis Oliele praised the initiative, saying it aligns with the federation’s mandate of identifying, nurturing and exposing football talent across the country.

He described the Governor’s Cup as the first football tournament of its scale in Nakuru since the advent of devolution nearly 15 years ago, calling it a significant milestone in the county’s sporting development.

According to Oliele, grassroots tournaments provide an important pathway for young players by offering competitive match experience, exposure to scouts and coaches, and opportunities to progress to academies, professional clubs and national teams.

The competition also complements the county government’s ongoing investments targeting young people through programmes focused on skills development, enterprise growth and alternative income-generating opportunities.

Kihika said the county was simultaneously investing in sports infrastructure to strengthen the local sporting ecosystem and create better training and competition environments for athletes.

Among the flagship projects is the rehabilitation of Afraha Stadium, a historic venue that has hosted major national football and athletics events over the years. The county is also overseeing the construction of a modern stadium in Olenguruone as part of efforts to expand access to quality sporting facilities.

“Sports remain a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment, talent identification and social transformation. Through this tournament, we are creating opportunities for young people to showcase their abilities while opening pathways for personal growth and future success both on and off the field,” Kihika said.

The tournament got underway immediately after the launch, with Ogilgei FC defeating Wakulima FC in a penalty shootout following a tightly contested opening fixture.

In the second match, Kivumbini FC edged out Kibara FC of Kuresoi North 2-1 to secure progression to the next round, setting the tone for what organizers expect to be a highly competitive tournament.

Players and coaches expressed optimism that the Governor’s Cup would evolve into a key platform for identifying future stars while promoting healthy lifestyles, community engagement and economic activity linked to sporting events across Nakuru County.