Kenya’s biggest grassroots football tournament returns with record participation, scholarships, and international opportunities for young talent.
Safaricom has officially launched the fifth season of Chapa Dimba, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing Kenya’s next generation of football stars through one of the country’s most successful grassroots sports development programmes.
The tournament officially kicks off on Saturday, June 27, with ward-level matches across Western Kenya, where hundreds of young footballers will begin their journey toward national glory.
Record Registration Reflects Growing Popularity
This year’s tournament has attracted unprecedented interest.
According to Safaricom, 3,178 teams have registered nationwide—surpassing the organisers’ target of 3,000 teams. The registrations include 2,367 boys’ teams and 811 girls’ teams, demonstrating the continued growth of youth football across the country.
The opening Western Region qualifiers alone have drawn 521 teams, comprising 340 boys’ teams and 181 girls’ teams from Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, and Vihiga counties.
The impressive turnout highlights how Chapa Dimba has evolved from a football competition into a national talent identification platform that reaches communities often overlooked by traditional scouting systems.
A Platform That Changes Lives
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the growing number of registrations demonstrates the tournament’s lasting impact on youth football development.
“Every season, we are seeing more teams, more talent, and more success stories emerge from communities across Kenya. While not every team was able to secure a place in this year’s competition, we encourage those who missed out to continue preparing and look forward to the next season. Chapa Dimba is a long-term platform, and there will always be another opportunity to showcase talent and pursue football dreams.”
His remarks underscore the tournament’s long-term vision—not merely producing champions but creating sustainable pathways for young people to pursue careers in football and education.
Western Champions Ready to Defend Their Titles
The new season also brings back familiar champions eager to defend their regional crowns.
Last season’s Western Region winners, Ebwali Boys from Vihiga County and Brenda Girls from Bungoma County, return with ambitions of repeating their success.
Among the returning coaches is Francis Muhambe, Head Coach of Vihiga Cranes, who previously guided Ebwali FC to the regional championship.
Muhambe reflected on last season’s achievements, noting that several players—including Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, and Edwin Onyango—earned places in the prestigious All-Star team that travelled to Spain.
“This year, I return with a new squad and believe they have what it takes to perform well and attract attention from clubs competing in the national leagues,” he said.
More Than Prize Money
While the competition offers attractive financial rewards, Chapa Dimba’s real value lies in the opportunities it creates beyond the football pitch.
The tournament follows a structured progression from ward competitions through sub-county, county, regional, and finally national championships.
National winners in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive KES 1 million, while county and regional champions will also earn cash prizes. Individual performers will be recognised through awards for the Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, and Best Goalkeeper.
However, the tournament’s biggest prize may be education.
Football Meets Education
One of the standout features of this year’s competition is Safaricom’s continued investment in education through the Citizens of the Future programme.
A total of 150 outstanding players identified from county through national competitions will receive fully funded scholarships to public tertiary institutions across Kenya.
The scholarships cover:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Monthly upkeep stipend
- Freedom to pursue courses of their choice
This approach recognises that only a small percentage of talented footballers eventually turn professional, ensuring participants also build careers beyond sport.
Road to the Gothia Cup
Exceptional players selected during the tournament will also earn places in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars team.
The squad will represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden, widely regarded as the world’s largest youth football tournament.
Participation gives young Kenyan footballers invaluable international exposure, allowing them to compete against elite youth teams while attracting attention from scouts, academies, and professional clubs from around the world.
For many previous participants, this opportunity has opened doors to professional football careers both locally and internationally.
A Proven Talent Development Model
Since its launch in 2017, Safaricom Chapa Dimba has established itself as one of Kenya’s most impactful youth sports initiatives.
Beyond producing talented footballers, the programme has demonstrated how private sector investment can strengthen grassroots sports while supporting education, youth empowerment, and social mobility.
Several alumni have progressed into Kenya’s top football leagues, national teams, and overseas clubs, validating the tournament’s role as a credible talent development pipeline.
As Season Five gets underway, the record-breaking registrations suggest that Chapa Dimba’s influence continues to expand, offering thousands of young Kenyans not just the chance to compete, but an opportunity to transform their futures through sport and education.
With football dreams, scholarships, and international exposure all on offer, this year’s tournament promises to be another milestone in the evolution of grassroots football in Kenya.