Vihiga Cranes from Vihiga County and Lugari Progressive (Archbishop Njenga Girls) from Kakamega County won the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region finals on August 16, 2026, at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma County, according to a statement from Safaricom. Each team received KES 250,000 and will represent the Western Region at the national finals scheduled for next year.

In the boys’ final, Vihiga Cranes beat Busia’s Musokoto Secondary School 1-0. Safaricom said the decisive goal came in the 61st minute when Tonny Omondi scored with a header from a corner delivered by Luke Ramsey.

The girls’ final ended 0-0 in regular time before Lugari Progressive defeated Busia’s Chakol Girls 5-4 on penalties, Safaricom said.

Chapa Dimba is a school-based football competition run by Safaricom and now in its fifth edition. For Safaricom, the tournament forms part of its broader youth engagement and community programmes and also acts as a regional platform for talent identification and progression to national-level competition.

Speaking after the boys’ final, Francis Muhambe, head coach of Vihiga Cranes, said the team’s attention would shift to the next stage. “First, I want to thank God for this victory and also Safaricom for putting together such an amazing tournament. We are delighted to win the Western Region title... But the job is not done yet; our focus now shifts to the national finals, where we hope to go all the way,” Muhambe said.

Fred Serenge, head coach of Lugari Progressive, said the girls’ final was decided by resilience and preparation. “It wasn’t an easy game, but I want to congratulate my girls for working hard, staying focused and fighting until the end to win the trophy... The girls are really excited to be going home with KES 250,000, along with other prizes, including smartphones and airtime,” Serenge said.

Safaricom said runners-up Musokoto Secondary School and Chakol Girls received KES 150,000 each, alongside smartphones and airtime.

Individual awards in both boys’ and girls’ categories included Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer prizes worth KES 30,000 each, Safaricom said. The Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) also received KES 30,000 and a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme, according to the statement.

In the girls’ category, Safaricom said the Top Scorer award was shared by Hanisa Mashasha of Chakol Girls and Lugari Progressive’s Lydia Laura, Zipporah Wanyonyi, Delphine Mutirira and Viola Chepkorir. In the boys’ category, the Top Scorer award was shared by Mellon Omondi and Tonny Omondi of Vihiga Cranes alongside Rom Okitwi, Frankline Pual and Calvin Masai of Musokoto Secondary.

Safaricom said the boys’ MVP award went to Elvis Ogiro of Musokoto Secondary, while the girls’ MVP award went to Hanifa Mashasha of Chakol Girls. Best Goalkeeper awards went to Nabo Ochieng of Musokoto Secondary and Shamsy Pachanga of Lugari Progressive, the company said.

Beyond sport, corporate-backed school competitions have become a visible channel for community investment and youth development in Kenya, often linking prize money, scholarships and exposure to structured pathways for further education. For regions outside Nairobi, the travel, hosting and sponsorship spending tied to finals can also support local micro-business activity around venues, including transport, hospitality and retail trade.

Safaricom said the tournament will now move to the Central Region finals, scheduled for Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County. The remaining regional winners will then qualify for the national finals next year.

Musokoto Secondary School from Busia County will play Vihiga Cranes from Vihiga County in the boys’ Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region final on Sunday, August 16, at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, Bungoma, after both sides won their semi-finals on Saturday, August 15, organisers said in a press release.

In the girls’ final, Chakol Queens will face Lugari Progressive after the two teams recorded semi-final victories at the same venue, according to the statement.

The regional finals form part of Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba talent development tournament, which has become a key feeder platform for grassroots football across Kenya’s counties and a regular fixture in the country’s sports calendar. For Western Kenya, the event draws teams and spectators from counties including Busia, Vihiga, Kakamega and Bungoma, creating short-term activity for local vendors and host venues while providing exposure for youth players.

Musokoto booked their place in the boys’ final with a 3-0 win over Kakamega’s Green Buffaloes. The press release said Musokoto took an early lead in the second minute when Galvin Mukolwe scored from the penalty spot after Peter Franklin Pual was penalised for handball. Frankline Paul doubled the lead in the 52nd minute, and Tom Okitwi added a third in the 77th minute.

Green Buffaloes missed a penalty through Oliver Osinya, the organisers said.

“I am happy with today’s win. We played according to our game plan, and we hope to do the same when we meet Vihiga Cranes tomorrow in the final. This is our first time reaching the regional final, and we are determined to take the trophy back to Busia,” said Nicholas Okubala, head coach of Musokoto Secondary School, according to the press release.

Vihiga Cranes reached the final after edging Bungoma’s Terem 1-0, with Mellon Omondi scoring the match’s only goal, organisers said.

In the girls’ semi-finals, Lugari Progressive beat Bungoma’s Elgon Queens 4-0, with goals from Laura Lydia, Ziporah Wanyonyi, Delphine Mutirira and Viola Chepkorir, the statement said.

Chakol Queens beat Vihiga’s Blue Commandos 3-1 to seal the other girls’ final spot. The organisers said Michel Nasimiyu scored twice, Hanifa Mashasha added a third for the Busia side, and Mitchel Chepteek scored Blue Commandos’ consolation.

“Last season, we were knocked out in the semi-finals. This year, we are glad to have made it to the final. I know Lugari Progressive is a tough team, but we will play our game just as we did today. The girls are determined to lift this trophy for the first time and represent the region at the national championship,” said Abraham Muleme, head coach of Chakol Queens, according to the press release.

Organisers said the winning teams in the boys’ and girls’ finals will each receive KES 250,000 and qualify for the national finals, while the runners-up will each receive KES 150,000. Individual awards for best goalkeeper and top scorer in both categories will each earn KES 30,000, while the most valuable player (Golden Ball) will receive KES 30,000 and “an additional fully funded tertiary education scholarships under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme,” according to the statement.

The outcome of the Western regional finals will determine the teams that represent the region at the national championship, with organisers expected to confirm the next stage’s fixtures and dates after the Bungoma event.

Safaricom will stage the Western Regional Finals of its Chapa Dimba Season 5 youth football tournament in Bungoma on August 15 and 16 at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, with eight teams set to compete for the regional title and National Finals qualification.

In a statement dated August 13, 2026, the telecoms operator said four boys’ teams and four girls’ teams drawn from Busia, Vihiga, Bungoma and Kakamega counties will take part in the first regional finals of the season. The participating teams are Chakol Queens and Musokoto Secondary School (Busia), Vihiga Cranes and Blue Commandos (Vihiga), Terem FC and Elgon Queens (Bungoma), and Lugari Progressive and Green Buffaloes (Kakamega).

Safaricom said each winning boys’ and girls’ team will receive KES 250,000 and secure a slot at the National Finals. Runners-up in each category will receive KES 150,000, according to the company.

“This weekend, we are all heading to Bungoma for our first Chapa Dimba Regional Final of the season. We have eight teams competing, and we expect a packed weekend of exciting action,” said Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO. “I call on football fans across Western Kenya and beyond to turn up in large numbers, enjoy the action, and cheer on our talented young boys and girls.”

The girls’ semi-finals will open the weekend programme, with hosts Elgon Queens facing Lugari Progressive in the first match. The second girls’ semi-final will pit Blue Commandos against defending champions Chakol Queens, Safaricom said.

Fred Serenge, head coach of Lugari Progressive, said the team is targeting the regional title after falling short last season. “Last season, we lost 2-1 to Brenda Girls in the final, but this year we are determined to win both the regional and national titles,” Serenge said. He added that the tournament will, for the first time, provide Kenyan players an opportunity to participate in the Gothia Cup in Sweden through selection to the Season 5 All-Star team.

The boys’ semi-finals will feature hosts Terem FC against Vihiga Cranes, followed by Musokoto Secondary School versus Green Buffaloes, according to Safaricom.

Francis Muhambe, head coach of Vihiga Cranes, said the team is looking to repeat past success. “Last season, I led Ebwali Boys to the regional championship in the boys’ category, and this year, I am hoping to achieve the same with Vihiga Cranes after winning the Vihiga County title,” Muhambe said.

Beyond prize money for teams, Safaricom said it will issue individual awards: Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer in both boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive KES 30,000, while the Most Valuable Player (Golden Ball) will also receive KES 30,000 and a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.

The company said the Western Region segment attracted 521 teams across the four counties—340 boys’ teams and 181 girls’ teams—with Kakamega recording the highest participation at 214 teams, followed by Bungoma (160), Busia (79) and Vihiga (68). Nationwide, Safaricom said 3,178 teams registered for Season 5, comprising 2,367 boys’ teams and 811 girls’ teams.

For Kenya’s business landscape, Safaricom’s continued funding of grassroots sports programmes is part of broader corporate spending that supports talent pipelines, community engagement and local event-driven trade, particularly in host towns where match-day footfall can lift small business activity around venues. The tournament also aligns with a growing focus by corporates on youth development initiatives that link to education outcomes through scholarships, which can be positioned as long-term human capital investment.

The Western Regional Finals will culminate in category finals on Sunday, with the winners advancing to represent the region at the National Finals. Safaricom said the Season 5 All-Star team will represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden.

Safaricom’s Chapa Dimba Season Five begins on Saturday, June 27, with grassroots matches across the Western region as registrations for the youth football tournament rose to 3,178 teams nationwide, according to a company press release dated June 26, 2026.

The opening round in Western Kenya has attracted 521 teams drawn from Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga and Bungoma counties. Safaricom said the regional entry includes 340 boys’ teams and 181 girls’ teams, which it described as an increase from the previous season.

Nationally, Safaricom reported that 2,367 boys’ teams and 811 girls’ teams registered for the tournament, taking the total to 3,178 teams and exceeding a target of 3,000 teams. The company did not disclose the prior season’s national registration figures in the statement.

The tournament forms part of Safaricom’s broader youth and community programming and sits at the intersection of sport, education and corporate social investment in Kenya. For businesses, such initiatives remain a key channel for brand engagement in counties while also supporting talent development and local ecosystems around sports—ranging from transport and hospitality to small traders around match venues.

Speaking ahead of the kick-off, Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa linked the high registration numbers to the tournament’s role in 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,” Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said last season’s Western Regional champions—Ebwali Boys from Vihiga County and Brenda Girls from Bungoma County—are among teams expected to return this year.

Francis Muhambe, head coach of Vihiga Cranes, said the tournament has previously created progression opportunities for players into the All-Star programme.

“We are excited to have Safaricom Chapa Dimba back. Last season, I led Ebwali FC to become regional champions, and I was proud to see players like Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch and Edwin Onyango progress to the All-Star team that travelled to Spain. This year, I return with a new team, confident they will perform well and attract interest from national league clubs,” Muhambe said.

Under the competition structure outlined by Safaricom, teams will advance from ward-level matches through sub-county, county, regional and national stages. Safaricom said national champions in both boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive KES 1 million, alongside additional prizes at county and regional levels and individual awards for Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer and Best Goalkeeper.

Beyond match results, Safaricom said 150 players will be selected from county to national level to receive fully funded tertiary education scholarships under its Citizens of the Future programme. The company said the scholarships will cover tuition, accommodation and a monthly stipend at public tertiary institutions in Kenya.

Safaricom added that outstanding players will form an All-Stars team that will represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden, which it described as the world’s largest youth football tournament, offering exposure to international competition and scouting networks.

Looking ahead, attention will shift to participation levels in other regions as the tournament rolls out nationally, and to the pipeline from regional stages to the national finals. Safaricom said Chapa Dimba, launched in 2017, has produced players who progress into local leagues, national teams and international clubs, and the company is positioning Season Five to continue those pathways.

Safaricom PLC (NSE: SCOM) has launched Season 5 of its Chapa Dimba youth football tournament in Kisumu, rolling out new pathways that include international competition exposure, tertiary scholarships and expanded technology-enabled scouting for grassroots players.

The company said the fifth season, launched at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu, will feature an All-Star team of 32 players selected from the tournament to represent Kenya at the Gothia Cup in Sweden. Safaricom described the Gothia Cup as the world’s largest youth football tournament and said the move replaces the international bootcamps used in previous editions.

The tournament will also provide tertiary scholarships to 150 outstanding players through the Safaricom Citizens of the Future programme, according to the press release.

Safaricom said it has adjusted the tournament’s eligibility age bracket to 15–18 years from 16–20 years in previous seasons, stating that the change is intended to support earlier talent identification and placement into professional football structures in Kenya and abroad.

“We are intentionally building pathways that combine sports, education, and technology to empower the next generation. Our goal is not just to develop footballers, but to nurture well-rounded young people who can positively transform their communities and the country,” said Peter Ndegwa, Group CEO, Safaricom PLC.

On player assessment, Safaricom said it will expand the use of technology for scouting and performance analysis. After introducing AI-powered GPS vests in the previous season, the company said it will now deploy VeO Cameras and MyScout AI devices beginning at county level. Safaricom said the tools will enable data-driven scouting by tracking metrics such as movement, positioning, intensity and sprint performance, and will support the creation of digital player profiles accessible to clubs and scouts.

“This season, we are taking technology deeper into grassroots football because we believe no talent should go unnoticed. Through data and digital player profiling, we are creating more structured pathways for young players to access opportunities locally and globally,” Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said Season 5 will be held across eight regions and organised in five stages: ward level, county level, inter-county level, regional level and national finals. Registration is open for both boys’ and girls’ teams via the Chapa Dimba website, the company said.

National winners in both boys’ and girls’ categories will each receive KES 1 million, Safaricom said, adding that county and regional prizes and individual awards—including Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer and Best Goalkeeper—will also be issued.

The tournament is run in partnership with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Safaricom said in its notes to editors. The company positions the programme as part of its wider youth empowerment agenda, implemented alongside initiatives including the Safaricom Foundation, M-PESA Foundation and Citizens of the Future programme.

For Kenya’s sports and business ecosystem, the latest changes signal a tighter link between corporate sponsorship, education outcomes and measurable talent pipelines. Expanded scouting tools at county level could also increase the visibility of players outside traditional urban centres, while the Gothia Cup pathway provides a defined international platform for elite youth talent.

Safaricom said Chapa Dimba, launched in 2017, has produced players who have progressed into local and international football, including Benson Omalla, Bryton Otieno, Austine Odongo, Derrick Oketch, Jentrix Shikangwa, Marion Serenge and Mercy Akoth, among others. The company also said some former participants have represented Kenya at international competitions, including the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Next, the tournament will proceed through its ward-to-national structure, with the All-Star selection and scholarship beneficiaries expected to emerge from the season’s scouting and performance assessments, Safaricom said.