Westlands, Nairobi — June 18, 2025
Grassroots football in Westlands received a major shot in the arm after Member of Parliament Hon. Tim Wanyonyi disbursed KES 400,000 to support 36 Football Kenya Federation (FKF)-affiliated teams. The funds, drawn from his personal contribution, will go towards league participation fees for the clubs, ensuring their continued involvement in the competitive football calendar.
The handover ceremony, held at Westlands Primary School, was attended by FKF Nairobi West Chairman Bernard Omondi “Rama,” national and regional football officials, and leaders from other sporting disciplines. Omondi hailed the MP’s gesture as timely, especially following the withdrawal of the NG-CDF sports allocation which had previously cushioned grassroots teams.
“Westlands is among the few constituencies where leadership takes grassroots football seriously. This support will keep our clubs alive and young people engaged,” said Omondi.
The event also provided a platform for multisport stakeholders — from rugby, athletics, darts, boxing, volleyball, to referees and coaches — to engage the MP in a consultative forum on strengthening the local sports ecosystem.
Hon. Wanyonyi used the occasion to challenge Kenya’s sports leadership to invest in infrastructure, training, and sustainable support systems. He expressed concern over the neglect of crucial public facilities like City Stadium and Joseph Kang’ethe grounds, calling it a missed opportunity for nurturing talent.
“Kenya is a sporting nation, but we’ve failed to build systems. Many of our athletes succeed out of personal sacrifice, not because the system works. This has to change,” he said.
The MP reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots sports, clarifying that the KES 400,000 issued was from his personal funds, aimed at filling the gap left by the scrapped sports fund. He called on corporate bodies to borrow from successful sponsorship models like Yanga and Simba SC in Tanzania, and urged local sports managers to embrace transparency, capacity building, and player motivation.
“We need to organize workshops for our coaches and referees, and strive to see Westlands referees officiating at major international events,” Wanyonyi added.
He encouraged all sports groups within the constituency to remain organized, promising his continued support for structured, well-run initiatives.
“I captain the Bunge Darts Team. I know what sports can do for young people and communities. Let’s walk this journey together,” he concluded.
The 36 football clubs benefiting from this boost include Kibagare Slums FC, Leads United, Kangemi Atletico, Simba Cranes, Nairobi Starlet, and Gachie Soccer FC among others.