Riabai Ward MCA Hezron Gachui has renewed his commitment to supporting grassroots sports, saying sustained investment in local teams is critical to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for young people.
Gachui, who is seeking to become the next Member of Parliament for Kiambu Constituency in the 2027 General Election, said many talented young people in the community only require the right platform, equipment and encouragement to unlock their potential.
He said his support for grassroots teams was not limited to providing sporting equipment, but also involved mobilising friends, well-wishers and other community stakeholders whenever teams required additional assistance.
According to Gachui, sporting talent remains one of the most underutilised opportunities for youth empowerment, particularly at the grassroots where many promising players struggle with inadequate equipment, transport, training facilities and financial support.
“Talent grows where there is support.”
He said his experience working with local teams had reinforced his belief that young people possess the talent, passion and determination needed to succeed, but require adults and leaders willing to invest in their ambitions.
“Our young people have the talent, the passion and the determination. Our responsibility is to give them the platform, resources and encouragement to keep going,” Gachui said.
He pledged to continue standing with grassroots teams and supporting initiatives aimed at identifying, developing and exposing young talent to wider opportunities.
The MCA said sports should be viewed beyond competition and entertainment, arguing that it can provide young people with discipline, teamwork, leadership skills and avenues for employment.
For many young people, local football and other sporting activities provide an important avenue for keeping them engaged while building their skills and social networks.
Gachui said community support was therefore essential in ensuring talented players do not abandon their ambitions simply because they lack basic equipment or financial resources.
His remarks come amid growing calls for greater investment in grassroots sports across Kiambu County, with local teams often relying on community fundraising and individual sponsors to participate in leagues and tournaments.
Grassroots teams frequently face challenges ranging from lack of playing kits and balls to transport costs, registration fees and access to suitable training grounds.
Gachui said addressing such challenges requires a collective approach involving elected leaders, businesses, parents, sports officials and community organisations.
He maintained that supporting a team was also an investment in the wider community because young people who are actively engaged in sports are more likely to develop positive habits and productive relationships.
The Riabai MCA said his approach was anchored on the belief that leadership should be measured not only by major development projects but also by the ability to identify and respond to the everyday needs of communities.
He said grassroots sporting activities offered leaders an opportunity to interact directly with young people, understand their challenges and help connect them with opportunities beyond their immediate neighbourhoods.
As he positions himself for the Kiambu parliamentary race, Gachui is increasingly placing youth empowerment and talent development among the issues he says require greater attention.
He has argued that young people should not merely be treated as an electoral constituency but as partners in shaping the future of the community.
The MP aspirant said he would continue encouraging young people to take advantage of opportunities in sports, education, vocational training, entrepreneurship and other areas where they could build sustainable livelihoods.
He also called on individuals and organisations with the capacity to support grassroots teams to come forward, saying small interventions could make a significant difference in the life of a young athlete.
“Talent does not grow in isolation. It requires a platform, resources, mentorship and encouragement,” he said.
For grassroots players, such support can mean the difference between remaining at the community level and accessing county, national or even international opportunities.
Gachui said his continued engagement with local teams was part of a broader commitment to creating an environment in which young people could pursue their ambitions without being held back by lack of basic resources.
He said the journey towards developing talent must be collective, with communities taking ownership of their young people and ensuring promising athletes are identified early and given the support necessary to progress.
“This is a journey we walk together,” Gachui said.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the Kiambu political landscape is expected to witness increased competition for parliamentary and other elective positions. Candidates are likely to face growing pressure to demonstrate how their programmes can address youth unemployment, economic inclusion and the development of local talent.
For Gachui, grassroots sports provide one avenue through which these challenges can be confronted—by combining recreation with skills development, mentorship and opportunities for young people to build careers.
His message to the community is that investment in young people should begin at the grassroots, where talent is first discovered.
He said the responsibility of leaders should be to ensure that talent does not die because of a lack of equipment, exposure or encouragement.
“Our responsibility is to give young people the platform, resources and encouragement to keep going.”
