Kiambu Town MP Machua Waithaka has stepped up support for grassroots football in the constituency, donating playing equipment to 19 teams drawn from the County League, Regional League and Division Two.
The teams each received three footballs during an event hosted by the MP’s office as part of efforts to promote sporting talent and provide young people with opportunities to develop their skills.
Mr Waithaka urged the players to remain disciplined and committed to their training, saying sporting talent could open doors to opportunities beyond the football pitch.
“Continue working hard, developing your talents and making our constituency proud,” the MP told the players.
The latest intervention comes barely a month after Mr Waithaka’s office met 16 teams participating in the Sub County League, with each team also receiving three footballs.
The MP said his office would continue supporting young people despite changes in the financing of grassroots sports.
The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) sports kitty was scrapped in 2023, leaving sports largely under the mandate of county governments. However, Mr Waithaka said this had not stopped him from supporting teams through personal initiatives and assistance from well wishers.
Apart from providing sporting equipment, his office has also made its van available to teams travelling to different parts of the country for matches, easing the burden of transport costs on players and officials.
“We will continue doing our part to nurture talent and create opportunities for our youth,” Mr Waithaka said.
The latest support has attracted positive reactions from football officials, players and residents, with some describing it as an important boost to grassroots football.
Njoroge Nduta described Mr Waithaka as a humble leader who had demonstrated commitment to development and youth empowerment.
“A very humble and brilliant leader we have. Indeed, Kiambu Town has a good leader,” Mr Nduta said.
He cited education, roads, talent support and empowerment programmes as some of the areas where he said the MP had made an impact.
“He leads with a servant’s heart. Humble in approach, bold in action, and wise in decision making. From education, roads, talent support to empowerment programmes, you can see the difference. Kazi inaongea,” he said.
Mr Nduta added that the constituency was fortunate to have a leader who, in his view, listened to residents and supported development initiatives.
“Kiambu Town is blessed to have a leader who listens to the people, walks with them, and delivers real development on the ground. A leader who puts people first and politics last,” he said.
Isaac Ochieng thanked the MP for including football in his youth programmes, saying the donation would assist teams as they prepare for the coming season.
“Thanks, mheshimiwa, for considering our football in your plans. The donation of the balls means a lot for the teams as they prepare for the upcoming season. God bless you,” Mr Ochieng said.
He also thanked the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Kiambu Sub County branch for helping create opportunities and memorable experiences for local teams.
The FKF Kiambu Sub County branch also acknowledged the support, describing Mr Waithaka as a leader who had kept his word to the football fraternity.
“A true leader, a man who keeps his word. Thank you very much, our Member of Parliament, for the support,” the branch said.
Other residents linked the MP’s youth programmes to broader efforts to equip young people with skills and opportunities.
Analysis Farm said the constituency’s support extended beyond sports to training and skills development.
“From free online courses and short courses to nurturing talents, indeed we made the right decision,” the organisation said, while thanking the MP for what it described as continued service to residents.
Mary Shiru described the football gathering as a colourful and memorable occasion, thanking those who participated in making the event successful.
The interventions come as grassroots football continues to provide a platform for young people to develop sporting skills, compete at higher levels and pursue opportunities in the sports industry.
For teams operating with limited resources, access to basic equipment and transport remains an important part of maintaining regular training and participation in competitive fixtures.
Mr Waithaka’s office said it would continue looking for ways of supporting youth initiatives in Kiambu Town, with sports forming part of the broader focus on talent development and youth empowerment.
The MP’s office has also urged young people to take advantage of available opportunities, work hard and remain focused on developing their talents.
With 19 more teams now equipped with new footballs and 16 Sub County League sides having received similar support last month, the initiative has expanded the constituency’s engagement with grassroots football at several levels of competition.
