Mombasa County, FKF partner to boost football and youth safety

The move comes in the wake of a hardline security directive by Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno, who issued a shoot-to-kill order against criminal gangs known as “Panga Boyz” that have been terrorizing residents across the coastal region.

But while security agencies tighten enforcement, the county government is rolling out a different kind of response — one built on pitches, partnerships, and opportunity.

Speaking after a strategic meeting with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Mombasa branch officials, County Executive Committee Member for Sports and Arts Jonathan Wepukhulu laid out a bold vision centered on infrastructure, rehabilitation, and empowerment.

"Our youths wont be buried as police have issued a shoot to kill order, we will use sports to rehabilitate our youths"

In a decisive financial shift, the county has redirected resources to fast-track stadium development.

"We have relocate the funds we intended to use at Mombasa Stadiums to construction of Bububu Stadium and Ziwani stadium. We want as soon as the works in the stadium start most youths to get chance of employment there," added Wepukhulu.

Beyond the two main stadiums, the county is targeting school playgrounds as vital community assets. Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir is reportedly close to finalising a major agreement with the Kenya Ports Authority to rehabilitate school fields across the county.

Wepukhulu emphasized the importance of formal agreements to ensure access:

" On School fields our govenor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir is almost finalising an agreement with Kenya Ports Authority to rehabilitate all school fields. we need to have a MOU with the school to allow community to use the fields because some of the schools are baring community from using the fields".

He further called on football authorities to help formalize the framework between schools and communities:

"We urge FKF to come on board and help us have a noble and suitable agreement between community and schools," Wepukhulu added.

FKF Mombasa Branch Chairman Alamin Ahmed welcomed the collaboration, underscoring that proper infrastructure is fundamental under global football standards.

"In FIFA rules we must have playing fields, our governor has played a big part in plans to rehabilitate our playing fields. We will also help the county in upgrading the school fields - our children are more free with coaches than teachers and parents and when we have many fields our youths will be safe."

In a major boost to grassroots football, the County Government of Mombasa has pledged to support all FKF-affiliated teams by paying their affiliation fees and providing essential equipment such as balls and jerseys.

The county has also committed to developing a plan to procure a sports bus to facilitate travel for teams competing outside the region.