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.