FKF, branches commit to revamping grassroots football

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and representatives from all its branches convened on Saturday to discuss key strategies for advancing grassroots football in Kenya.

The meeting, attended by FKF President Hussein Mohammed, Vice President McDonald Mariga, NEC members, key secretariat staff, and branch chairpersons, focused on strengthening county and regional football structures.

Discussions centred on restructuring county and regional leagues to create a more competitive and well-organised framework.

The federation also explored strategic partnerships to support sustainable football development and deliberated on new competitions to provide young players with better opportunities to grow within the football ecosystem.

Improving infrastructure remains a key priority, with plans to upgrade football facilities across counties to enhance training and matchday environments.

Additionally, tackling hooliganism and implementing effective spectator management measures were central to the talks.

Each branch will be required to submit a list of matchday stewards, who will undergo training to ensure improved match control and security.

As part of his commitment to incentivising excellence at the grassroots level, FKF President Hussein Mohammed announced a Ksh 1 million reward for the best-performing FKF branch at the end of each season, based on the quality of league management and operations.

This initiative aims to encourage county branches to uphold high standards in football administration and development.

Additionally, Mohammed introduced plans for a new county-based league, where each county will organise structured competitions, with the respective winners receiving Ksh 100,000 as an initial reward.

The tournament will culminate in an inter-county showdown, where the overall winner will be crowned National Counties champion.

Speaking after the meeting, Mohammed reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to grassroots development, stating:

“Grassroots football is the heartbeat of our game, and today’s discussions mark an important step towards building a well-structured and sustainable football system across all counties.

"By introducing these rewards and competitions, we aim to inspire our branches to maintain high standards in football management and provide young players with a solid platform to grow. We will continue engaging stakeholders to implement these strategies and lay a strong foundation for the future of Kenyan football.”