Safaricom has committed Ksh2 million through M-PESA to support the upcoming Safari 7s rugby tournament at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The company announced the sponsorship on 7 Oct 2026 ahead of the three-day tournament starting on 9 Oct 2026.

The sponsorship links Kenyan sport with mobile payments and connectivity services for fans and businesses attending the tournament.

“We wish Shujaa and the Lionesses success as they defend their titles,” Safaricom chief executive officer Peter Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said it would strengthen network capacity at the stadium to help spectators share and follow the matches.

The company said dedicated connectivity would also support the tournament’s live broadcast during the three days of competition.

Its plans include bringing digital services and customer support to fans and businesses at the venue.

The commitment builds on a two-year partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union valued at more than Ksh100 million according to Safaricom.

That partnership supports the national Sevens teams through M-PESA and covers both Kenya Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses.

Safaricom said the arrangement provides monthly allowances for players and officials alongside medical insurance, airtime allowances and financial literacy programmes.

Kenya Rugby Union chairperson Harriet Okach said the company’s connectivity investment would help fans follow the action.

Okach also said support for women’s rugby through the M-PESA partnership continued to make a difference.

“We look forward to delivering an exciting Safari 7s and encourage fans to turn up in large numbers to support our teams,” Okach said.

Safaricom said fans would be able to access matchday tickets through the Tikohub MiniApp within My OneApp.

The company said streaming bundles would also be available through My OneApp for spectators following the matches.

Visitors would be able to use M-PESA GlobalPay as a payment option during the tournament according to the release.

The planned services place ticket access and mobile payments alongside Safaricom’s network support within the same sporting event.

Safaricom said M-PESA generated more than Ksh182.7 billion in revenue for the financial year ending in March 2026.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company reported annual revenues of Ksh400 billion as at March 2026 in its corporate background information.

The tournament’s 28th edition will feature 18 teams across the men’s and women’s competitions according to the organisers’ programme in the release.

Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Morans will join international and invitational sides in the men’s competition.

The women’s competition will feature Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Cubs, Shibli and teams from Uganda, Tunisia and Spain.

Defending champions Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses will return for the tournament running from 9 to 11 Oct 2026.

Safaricom brought dairy farmers and agricultural partners together in Githunguri through its Safire Connect forum to discuss farm productivity, financial management and digital services.

In a release dated 7 Oct 2026 the company said the forum connected farmers and agripreneurs with experts and service providers.

“Farmers are at the heart of Kenya’s economy,” Safaricom Chief Consumer Business Officer Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi said.

The discussions addressed business needs among Kenyan farmers whose household incomes depend on agriculture and access to markets.

Safaricom said the sessions covered services anchored on Bundle ya Wakulima and explored ways to apply technology to agricultural businesses.

The company organised discussions under three themes it called Grow, Protect and Connect.

Ali-Kimanthi said technology could help farmers access information and financial services to make better decisions about their enterprises.

The productivity session covered access to quality inputs and better farming practices alongside ways to improve yields.

Safaricom said agricultural experts discussed farm management and participants learnt about services supporting different stages of the agricultural value chain.

The financial management session addressed income and cash flow alongside savings and responsible borrowing.

Farmers were encouraged to separate personal and business finances to improve planning and gain a clearer picture of their enterprises’ performance.

Participants also discussed access to digital financial services as part of efforts to strengthen the financial foundations of agricultural businesses.

The technology session explored how digital tools and artificial intelligence could support business decisions and improve access to information and services.

Safaricom said demonstrations covered ways farmers could use these tools to improve productivity and connect with markets.

Digital marketing discussions focused on helping farmers and small businesses reach customers and increase their visibility.

Participants interacted directly with agricultural experts and service providers to explore how the services could fit into their daily operations.

Safaricom said its DigiFarm platform provides farming information, inputs and financing to support agricultural enterprises.

The forum linked farm production discussions with financial planning and market access rather than treating productivity as a separate business concern.

The release did not give attendance figures or report measurable changes in farm output or income following the discussions.

Safaricom said agriculture largely drives Githunguri’s economy and dairy farming plays an important role in household incomes and livelihoods.

The local dairy value chain includes the Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society that produces Fresha dairy products.

Farmers in the area also grow coffee and tea alongside horticultural crops for local and surrounding markets.

They also grow maize and beans alongside potatoes and leafy vegetables for these markets.

Safaricom said the Githunguri forum forms part of its ongoing Safire Connect engagement with farmers and businesses across the country.

Safaricom has committed Ksh2 million through M-PESA to support connectivity and digital services at Nyayo National Stadium for the upcoming 2026 Safari 7s tournament.

The company announced the sponsorship in Nairobi on 7 Oct 2026 ahead of the tournament running from 9 to 11 Oct 2026.

“We wish Shujaa and the Lionesses success as they defend their titles,” said Safaricom chief executive Peter Ndegwa.

The sponsorship matters to Kenya’s business sector because it brings mobile payments and connectivity services to fans and businesses at a national sporting event.

Safaricom said it would increase network capacity at the stadium to help spectators follow matches and share content during the three-day competition.

The company said dedicated connectivity would also support the tournament’s live broadcast.

Beyond network services, Safaricom said it would provide access to ticketing and streaming bundles through My OneApp during the event.

Fans will be able to access matchday tickets through the Tikohub MiniApp within My OneApp according to the company.

Safaricom said visitors would also be able to use M-PESA GlobalPay as a payment option during the tournament.

The announcement places the company’s payment and digital services alongside its sports sponsorship rather than limiting its involvement to financial support.

Safaricom said the latest commitment builds on its two-year partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union valued at more than Ksh100 million.

That partnership supports the national sevens teams Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses through M-PESA according to the company.

Safaricom said the arrangement provides monthly allowances for players and officials alongside medical insurance, airtime allowances and financial literacy programmes.

Kenya Rugby Union chairperson Harriet Okach said the connectivity investment would help fans follow the tournament and welcomed the continued support for women’s rugby.

“We look forward to delivering an exciting Safari 7s,” said Okach.

The sponsorship also gives Safaricom another setting to present services from a payments business that contributes substantially to its reported revenue.

In its background information, Safaricom said M-PESA generated more than Ksh182.7 billion in revenue for the financial year ending in March 2026.

The company said its annual revenue stood at Ksh400 billion as at March 2026.

Safaricom said M-PESA serves 41 million customers who use their phones to transact, save or borrow money.

The company said the 28th Safari 7s would feature 18 teams across the men’s and women’s competitions.

Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Morans will join international and invitational sides in the men’s competition according to the release.

The women’s competition will feature Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Cubs, Shibli and teams from Uganda, Tunisia and Spain.

Defending champions Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses return to Nyayo National Stadium when the tournament opens on 9 Oct 2026.

Safaricom recently brought technical support to residents of Avenue Park Phase 1 in Nairobi’s Embakasi area through a clinic addressing household internet concerns.

The company said in a release dated 6 Oct 2026 that the clinic formed part of its wider community outreach programme.

“These clinics are important because they bridge the gap between Safaricom and our customers,” said Hakim Ali from Safaricom’s Home Segments team.

Ali said about 70 per cent of Avenue Park was connected by Safaricom and the company had brought experts to respond to residents’ concerns.

The company said customers could raise connectivity problems directly with technical teams and seek guidance on home internet services.

The outreach matters to Kenya’s household connectivity market as families increasingly depend on internet access for work and education, according to Safaricom.

The company said the engagements also help it gather customer feedback and identify internet options suited to different households.

At Avenue Park residents explored available services alongside seeking support for connections they already used.

Paul Wanyoke, an Avenue Park resident, said he had used Safaricom Home Fibre for about one and a half years.

“I can connect several devices at home and still enjoy good speeds,” Wanyoke said.

“What caught my attention today is the portable router,” he said.

Wanyoke said internet access during travel would be useful because he was frequently on the move and wanted to avoid repeatedly buying bundles.

The clinic comes as Safaricom reports growth in its fixed connectivity business in its FY25/26 results.

Fibre-to-the-Home customers increased by 35 per cent year-on-year to 407,080, according to those results.

The company said homes passed by its fibre network rose by 16.2 per cent year-on-year to 807,020.

Safaricom attributed that increase to wider fibre coverage and growing demand for high-speed internet.

The figures place the customer support programme alongside an expanding fibre network and a larger base of connected households.

Safaricom also said it had increased Home Fibre speeds by up to 2.5 times across its plans at no additional customer cost.

The company said the higher speeds support more connected devices as households use internet services for communication and entertainment.

Safaricom said its community clinics seek to maintain direct contact with customers as their connectivity needs change.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company reported annual revenues of Ksh400 billion as at March 2026 in its corporate background information.

Safaricom said it would continue expanding its fixed connectivity network and improving access to customer support through community engagements.

MAFA Academy and MCF Starlets received Ksh250,000 each after winning the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Region football finals at Moi Stadium in Embu.

Safaricom said in a press release dated 4 Oct 2026 that both teams also qualified for the national finals.

The tournament links youth football in Kenya to cash awards and tertiary education scholarships through Safaricom’s Citizens of the Future Programme.

MAFA Academy head coach Ibrahim Abdisalan said, “Our focus now immediately shifts to the National Finals.”

The company said individual prizes included smartphones and airtime alongside the cash awards for the winning teams.

Runners-up Mikinduri Rock-Star FC and Manyatta Royal Queens Academy received Ksh150,000 each.

Cecilia Wanjiku of MCF Starlets and Hussein Edin of MAFA Academy won the Most Valuable Player awards.

Safaricom said each received Ksh30,000 and a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under its Citizens of the Future Programme.

The education awards extend the tournament’s rewards beyond football by supporting further study for the two individual winners.

MAFA Academy from Isiolo beat Mikinduri Rock-Star FC eight goals to nil to secure their first regional boys’ title.

Zakar Mohamed scored a hat-trick after opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the seventh minute.

Hussein Edin and Abduba Daud also scored before half-time to give MAFA a three-goal advantage.

Abdizak Ali added another goal after the break before Mohamed and Wako Dabaso each scored twice to complete the victory.

Abdisalan said the academy had prepared for the tournament for two years before securing the regional title.

MCF Starlets from Machakos defeated hosts Manyatta Royal Queens Academy three goals to one in the girls’ final.

The Machakos side scored in the 17th and 62nd minutes before Justa Mwende pulled a goal back for Royal Queens.

Jacinta Nzuna scored MCF Starlets’ third goal in the 90th minute to settle the contest.

MCF Starlets head coach Abednego Matata said, “Nothing makes us happier than winning the Chapa Dimba Regional Trophy.”

Matata said his side would represent the entire Eastern Region rather than Machakos alone at the national finals.

Redemptah Mutanu of MCF Starlets and Abdullahi Muhammed of MAFA Academy received the Best Goalkeeper awards.

The Eastern winners join Nyanza qualifiers Awendo Football Academy and Plateau Queens in the national finals.

Central Region teams St. Joseph Starlets and LYSA have also qualified alongside Western Region’s Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive.

Safaricom said Chapa Dimba targets young people aged 14 to 17 across Kenya.

The tournament moves next to the Nairobi Region following the conclusion of the Eastern finals.

Safaricom said eight teams reached its Chapa Dimba Eastern semifinals in Embu after winning quarterfinal matches on 2 Oct 2026.

The competition links corporate support for Kenyan football with cash awards and financial literacy training for participating players and coaches.

Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni secured a boys’ semifinal place after beating Embu hosts Black Cats Football Academy 2-1.

“Our aim is to lift the trophy as we proceed to the semifinals set for tomorrow,” said Mbuthani Secondary School head coach Geoffrey Mwendwa.

Safaricom said regional champions will receive Ksh250,000 and runners-up Ksh150,000 alongside individual prizes including smartphones.

The quarterfinal matches took place at Kairuri, Nembure, Kamiu and Embu Showground according to the company’s press release.

In the girls’ competition Royal Queens Academy from Embu defeated regional defending champions Syomunyu Queens from Kitui 2-0 at Kairuri Grounds.

Royal Queens Academy head coach Muka Protus said an early goal reduced pressure on his team against the defending champions.

Dakabaricha Secondary School from Marsabit advanced after beating Bridge Starlets from Isiolo 2-1 to secure another girls’ semifinal place.

AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni beat Mugona Girls from Tharaka Nithi 5-1 to progress to the next round.

MCF Starlets from Machakos completed the girls’ semifinal line-up after a 1-0 victory over Akuune Queens from Meru.

In the boys’ competition Golden Football Academy from Machakos beat Marsabit’s Abdary FC 3-2 on penalties after a 4-4 draw.

MAFA Academy from Isiolo defeated Kajiunduthu High School from Tharaka Nithi 4-2 on penalties after the teams drew 1-1.

Kitui’s academy side secured the remaining boys’ semifinal place with a 2-1 win against Mikinduri Rock-Star FC.

Safaricom said players and coaches attended clinics at Moi Stadium after the quarterfinal matches.

The sessions covered financial literacy, data privacy, mental health and AI-powered vests among other topics.

The financial and technology sessions place the tournament within Safaricom’s wider business interests in connectivity and mobile financial services.

Safaricom said it serves more than 71.6 million customers across Kenya and Ethiopia through its telecommunications operations.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company reported annual revenues of Ksh400 billion as at Mar 2026 in the release.

The semifinals will take place at Moi Stadium in Embu on 3 Oct 2026.

AIC Sultan Queens will face MCF Starlets in the opening girls’ semifinal before Royal Queens Academy play Dakabaricha Secondary School.

Golden Football Academy will meet the Kitui side in the first boys’ semifinal before MAFA Academy face Mbuthani Secondary School.

The semifinal winners will advance to the regional finals on 4 Oct 2026.

Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba tournament has crowned county champions across Kenya’s Eastern Region after weekend finals that determined qualifiers for the regional competition in Embu.

FKF National Coordinator Oliver Kiptoo said the tournament provided a competitive stage for youth players across the region.

“We look forward to the Eastern Region finals as the county champions come together to battle for regional honours,” Kiptoo said.

Safaricom said in a press release dated 21 Sep 2026 that the county finals featured both boys’ and girls’ teams.

The company said the finals took place in Isiolo and Meru.

Finals also took place in Embu and Tharaka Nithi.

Machakos and Kitui hosted county finals.

Makueni and Marsabit also hosted county finals.

According to the statement, county champions in each category received Ksh75,000 and runners-up received Ksh30,000 alongside individual awards.

The tournament matters to Kenya’s grassroots football through corporate support for talent identification and county-level competition.

In Embu County, The Royal Queens Academy won the girls’ title after beating Ishiara Bright Starlets 7-0 at Embu Moi Stadium.

Safaricom said Black Cats Football Academy won the boys’ final 8-1 against Ishiara Bright Academy.

Machakos County’s girls’ final saw MCF Starlets defeat Kibauni Ladies 1-0.

Safaricom said MCF Starlets reached the final after a 1-0 semi-final win over Kisooni Queens.

Kibauni Ladies advanced after drawing 0-0 with Kyumbi All-Stars Queens and winning 5-4 on penalties.

Golden Football Academy won the boys’ county title after a goalless final against Masii Boys and a 4-1 penalty shootout victory.

In Kitui County, Syomunyu Queens won the girls’ title after a 3-0 victory over ISAA Queens FC.

According to the statement, SMPI Academy beat Mwingi Junior Academy 3-0 in the boys’ final to secure the county championship.

Safaricom said Bridge Starlets won the girls’ title and MAFA FC won the boys’ title in Isiolo.

Akuune Queens won the girls’ title and Makinduri Rockstars won the boys’ title in Meru.

AIC Sultan won the girls’ title in Makueni.

Dakabaricha Girls won the girls’ title and Abdary FC won the boys’ title in Marsabit.

Mugona Girls won the girls’ title and Kajiunduthi High won the boys’ title in Tharaka Nithi.

Kiptoo congratulated all county champions and every team that participated in the Eastern Region county finals.

He said the level of competition and talent witnessed across the counties had been encouraging.

He said organisers were pleased to give young footballers a platform to display their abilities and compete at a higher level.

The county and regional finals form part of Safaricom’s broader sports sponsorship activity supporting community engagement and grassroots football structures.

The tournament aligns with Safaricom’s sustained brand investment in sports properties that attract nationwide participation and local audiences.

County-level event activity includes venue use and local services.

Organisers said the regional finals would bring together top boys’ and girls’ teams from the eight counties for regional honours.

They said winners would progress further in the national Chapa Dimba competition.

The Eastern Region finals will take place in Embu on 2 and 3 Oct 2026.

Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba grassroots football competition will hold Eastern Region county finals on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20, 2026 across eight counties, with winners set to receive KES 75,000 each and advance to the inter-county playoffs, according to a statement issued on September 18.

The matches will be staged in Isiolo, Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni and Marsabit. Organisers said more than 60 teams will compete for county titles and progression to the inter-county playoffs, which feed into regional finals.

The organisers said county winners in both boys’ and girls’ categories will each take home KES 75,000, while runners-up will receive KES 30,000, in addition to “other individual awards”.

Chapa Dimba is one of the private-sector backed youth sports programmes in Kenya that blends community participation with structured competition and prize funding. For Safaricom, a Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed telecommunications company, the tournament also forms part of its wider public-facing initiatives, alongside its consumer and enterprise business lines, including M-PESA, according to the company’s backgrounder included in the release.

“After a successful regional tournament in Nyanza, we are excited to take Chapa Dimba to the Eastern Region for the county finals. More than 60 teams from across the eight counties will battle it out for county honours. Everything is in place, and we look forward to witnessing great talent and exciting matches over the weekend,” Oliver Kiptoo, FKF National Coordinator, said in the statement.

Several fixtures have been scheduled across the counties. In Isiolo, MAFA Academy will play Towfiq FC in the boys’ category at Kiwanjani Grounds, before Garbatulla Queens face Bridge Starlets in the girls’ category at the same venue.

Kitui will stage matches involving 16 teams. In the girls’ category, the statement listed fixtures including Kitui FC Ladies vs Kavalyani Starlets, United Starlets vs ISAA Queens, Mwitaka Starlets vs Nguni Sirens, and Young Starlets vs defending champions Syomunyu Queens at St. Charles Lwanga School. In the boys’ bracket, RMJS will face SMPI Academy, hosts St. Charles Lwanga will play Musengo Senior School, Kiongwe Juniors will face Mwingi Juniors, and Wendea FC will take on Nyanyaa Bullets.

In Machakos, the organisers said Matuu Homeboys will meet Masii Boys Senior School, while Golden Football Academy will face Koma United in the boys’ category. In the girls’ category, Kyumbi All-Stars Queens will play Kibauni Ladies and MCF will face Kisooni Queens, with matches to be held at Machakos Showground and Public Works Field.

Other listed fixtures include City Vultures Academy vs Mikinduri Stars FC and Igane Juniors vs CCM Giantune Boys in Meru, as well as Akuune Queens vs Mwariama Queens and CCM Giantune vs Timberyard Queens in the girls’ category. In Embu, Black Cats Football Academy will play Mufuu JSS, while Ishiara Brights Academy will face Pwani FC at Numbure Grounds; the girls’ fixtures include Ishiara Bright Starlets vs AIC Ndune Queens and Royal Queens Academy vs Kavutiri Lionesses.

Marsabit matches will be played at Marsabit Stadium, with Red Tigers scheduled to face Abdary FC and Turbi FC set to play DG Stingers FC. In Makueni, the boys’ category will feature Mbuthani Secondary School, Mukuyuni School and Kalawa Pride Juniors at Sultan Hamud Stadium, while AIC Sultan Queens will face Kiambani Queens in the girls’ category. In Tharaka Nithi, matches will be played at Kajiunduthi and Kairuni stadiums, the statement said.

Organisers said the Eastern Region finals will be held in Embu on Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3, 2026, bringing together qualifying teams from the county phase to compete for regional honours and further progression.

Indomitable Soldiers and Awendo Football Academy reached the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza boys’ final in Kisumu after 1-0 semi-final victories, Safaricom said.

Safaricom said the semi-finals took place on 12 Sep 2026 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo in Kisumu.

Indomitable Soldiers head coach Nicholas Owende said “Beating the defending champions is not easy.”

Owende said “We stuck to our game plan and we are happy that for the first time we have made it to the final.”

Owende said “We know it won’t be an easy game, but we are determined to lift this trophy and take it back to Siaya.”

Safaricom said Siaya’s Indomitable Soldiers are students of Wagai Mixed Secondary School and eliminated regional and national defending champions Obunga FC 1-0.

Nelson Warambo scored in the 28th minute, according to the press release.

Migori’s Awendo Football Academy edged Kendu Muslim 1-0 to reach the final for the second consecutive year, Safaricom said.

Safaricom said Kevin Mukaramoja scored the winner after receiving a cross from Shaban Quimba.

Plateau Queens will face Homa Bay’s Hedso Queens in the girls’ regional final, according to the press release.

Safaricom said Plateau Queens are two-time regional and national champions seeking a third regional title after beating Nyamira’s Masosa Starlets 8-0.

Emily Adhiambo scored a hat-trick and Beryl Awuor scored twice, according to the press release.

Melda Akinyi, Joan Agola and Elizabeth Alpine added one goal each according to Safaricom.

Hedso Queens defeated Kisii’s Otendo Comprehensive Starlets 4-0 to secure their place in the final, Safaricom said.

Safaricom said Khadija Furaha scored twice and Michele Achieng and Saumu Chizi also scored.

For Kenya, the tournament links corporate-backed youth football with education and welfare support through cash awards and a tertiary scholarship.

Safaricom positions Chapa Dimba as part of its wider community initiatives, according to the press release.

Safaricom said winners in the boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive Ksh250,000 and qualify for the national finals.

Runners-up will each receive Ksh150,000, the company said.

The best goalkeeper and top scorer in both categories will each receive Ksh30,000, Safaricom said.

The most valuable player will receive the Golden Ball award and Ksh30,000, according to Safaricom.

The company said the award also includes a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.

Safaricom said it held clinics for coaches and players at the venue covering football, mental health, data privacy and personal branding.

The clinics combine football training with life skills as part of the youth competition.

The national finals could provide further exposure to academies and scouts within Kenya’s football development system.

Safaricom said an exhibition match between its staff and Kisumu-based media will precede the regional finals.

The winning exhibition team will receive Ksh40,000, according to the company.

Eight teams have qualified for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Nyanza Regional semifinals following inter-county playoffs held on September 11, 2026 across four venues in Kisumu County, according to a statement from Safaricom. The semifinals will be played on September 12 at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu County.

The qualified teams are defending champions Obunga FC, Kendu Muslim, Awendo Football Academy, Indomitable Soldiers, Plateau Queens, Masosa Starlets, Hedso Queens and Otendo Comprehensive Starlets, the statement said.

The tournament results set up a weekend of matches that will culminate in Sunday’s finals, with the organisers indicating prize money of KES 250,000 for champions and KES 150,000 for runners-up, alongside other individual prizes including smartphones.

Results from the inter-county playoffs

In the boys’ category, Pool A matches at Kasagam School Playground saw Kisumu-based Obunga FC finish top with four points. Obunga beat Nyaguku FC 2–1, then drew 2–2 with Kendu Muslim of Homa Bay. Kendu Muslim and Nyaguku FC drew 1–1, eliminating Nyaguku.

In Pool B at Railways Ground, Awendo Football Academy secured top spot. Awendo drew 0–0 with Siaya’s Indomitable Soldiers in the opening match, then beat Sameta High School of Kisii 1–0. Earlier, Indomitable Soldiers and Sameta had drawn 2–2, a result that contributed to Sameta’s exit.

In the girls’ category, Pool A matches at Kisumu Boys High School saw Plateau Queens qualify after beating Nyamira Starlets-Bondo 1–0 and Otendo Comprehensive Starlets 2–0. Otendo then beat Nyamira Starlets-Bondo 1–0, eliminating Nyamira.

Pool B fixtures at Kisumu Day saw Hedso Queens of Homa Bay advance after beating Masosa Starlets of Nyamira County 4–2 and Oyugi Ogango Girls 4–1. The match between Oyugi Ogango and Masosa ended 1–1, which, according to the statement, resulted in both Hedso Queens and Masosa Starlets progressing to the semifinals.

Coaches’ reactions

Isaac Odhiambo, Assistant Coach of Indomitable Soldiers, said the team expects a stronger showing after reaching the last four. “First, I am happy to have reached this far. It wasn’t easy considering how competitive the region is in terms of football… this year we are determined to get to the finals and take home the regional trophy,” Odhiambo said.

He added the team will address mistakes after drawing both matches. “My boys really displayed a good game, though we drew both our matches… tomorrow, we hope to give our best and rectify the mistakes,” Odhiambo said.

Moses Atego, Assistant Coach of Plateau Queens, said the defending champions are taking a cautious approach. “We are taking it one game at a time. Every team here is a champion from their respective counties… we are determined to defend our title,” Atego said.

Why it matters

Safaricom’s continued backing of youth football through Chapa Dimba positions the tournament as a regular pipeline for talent identification while drawing activity to host counties through matchday logistics, local venues and associated services. For Safaricom, the programme also remains part of its wider brand and community engagement strategy in Kenya’s sports ecosystem.

Next matches

The girls’ semifinals will feature Plateau Queens vs Masosa Starlets, followed by Hedso Queens vs Otendo Comprehensive Starlets. In the boys’ semifinals, Awendo Football Academy will play Kendu Muslim before Obunga FC face Indomitable Soldiers, with winners advancing to Sunday’s finals, according to the statement.