Kayole Starlets have signed three players from the Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars team to strengthen their squad for the second leg of the Kenya Women’s Premier League, according to a press release dated March 20, 2026.

The Nairobi-based side said it has recruited goalkeeper Sonia Wambui, striker Calta Nasambu and Naomi Nanjala Masinde, adding that all three have already joined the team.

The signings come as Kayole Starlets, currently seventh on the league table, seek to push for a top-three finish in the remaining matches, the club said.

The club said the trio previously featured for Barcelona Ladies SC from Laikipia, a team that competes in the National Super League (NSL), reflecting the continued movement of talent from second-tier competition into the top flight of women’s football in Kenya.

Kayole Starlets also linked the players’ progression to Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba grassroots football programme. According to the statement, Wambui, Nasambu and Masinde were part of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba All-Stars squad that travelled to Huesca, Spain, for a bootcamp in September last year. The club added that the players featured for Barcelona Ladies SC during Season Four of the tournament, representing the Central Region at the national finals held in Kisumu.

Naomi Wanjala said she viewed the move as a step up after playing in the NSL. “I am excited to join Kayole Starlets. It has always been my ambition to play in the Kenya Premier League after competing in the National Super League. Joining mid-season gives me an opportunity to contribute to the team’s success in the remaining matches. Safaricom Chapa Dimba has played a significant role in my football journey. It is through this platform that I am here today, playing for Kayole Starlets,” Naomi Wanjala said in the press release.

Sonia Wambui also credited the tournament for creating a pathway to top-flight football. “Honestly, Chapa Dimba goes beyond a normal football tournament, it means a lot to young talents in this country. I want to thank Kayole Starlets for believing in me, and I promise to give my best. It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League and showcase my talent not just locally, but globally. This is a great platform and opportunity for me,” Wambui said.

The club said the three additions join Eunice ‘Bobi’ Nabwoba and Praxedes Shivikhwa, who also featured in Season Four of Chapa Dimba. According to the statement, Nabwoba previously played for Amus College in Uganda before joining Kayole Starlets.

Coach Joshua Sakwa said Kayole Starlets has increasingly relied on players developed through grassroots tournaments. “I believe tournaments like Safaricom Chapa Dimba offer invaluable lessons when it comes to supporting, nurturing and showcasing grassroots talent. The tournament plays a crucial role in spotting, developing, and showcasing young players. Currently, we have around five players who were part of the Chapa Dimba tournament in our squad. They are quality players, and we are confident they will help us push for a strong finish this season,” Joshua Sakwa, Kayole Starlets coach, said during a training session at Calvary Sports Grounds in Nairobi, according to the press release.

The development is significant for Kenya’s wider sports business ecosystem, where corporate-backed youth programmes are a key pipeline for clubs seeking affordable talent amid tight budgets and limited commercial revenues in women’s football. Safaricom Chapa Dimba targets youth aged 16 to 20, according to the statement, and is positioned as a national platform for identifying and developing talent.

Safaricom Chapa Dimba said more than 30 players from the most recent season have joined clubs competing in the NSL and the Kenya Premier League. The statement listed examples including Emily Morang’a (Kenya Police), Duncan Omala (Nairobi United), Derick Okech (Shabana FC), Austine Odongo (Shabana FC), Stanley Waswa (Ulinzi Stars), Hamis Nyale (Ulinzi Stars), Bryton Otieno (Gor Mahia), Brian Aroko (Tusker Youth), Neddy Kithinji (3K FC), Lorrine Illavonga (Ulinzi Starlets), Mercy Akoth (Vihiga Queens) and Swaumu Masungo (Kibera Soccer Women), among others.

Looking ahead, Kayole Starlets’ ability to translate the mid-season reinforcements into improved results will be tested in the remaining fixtures as the club targets a climb from seventh place into the top three, with the new signings expected to integrate immediately.