Sports

The Sub-county finals of the MKJ Supa Cup, Makueni’s premier sporting tournament, have successfully come to a close.

During a closing ceremony of the Mbooni Sub-county finals at Kalawa on Sunday, County Executive Committee Member for Sports Eng. Sebastian Kyoni termed the tourney as highly successful, commending the players, coaches and referees for upholding high levels of discipline and integrity during the campaign.

Kyoni urged teams to intensify preparations ahead of the county finals scheduled for April 1st and 2nd in Wote, emphasizing the importance of integrity in player selection and fair competition.

The MKJ Supa Cup, which features youth aged 23 and below, continues to serve as a vital platform for nurturing talent and offering young players an opportunity to be identified and recruited into higher-level clubs.

Makindu Ward men’s football team (in red kits) in action against Kikumbulyu South at Makindu Railway Grounds on Saturday during the Kibwezi West Sub-county MKJ Supa Cup Finals.

The tournament, which brings together all-star ward teams from the Ligi Mashinani games, provides a platform for young people to showcase their talents. Scouts are on the ground to identify outstanding players for possible trials and transition into Kenya’s elite clubs

Makueni’s premier sports tournament, MKJ Supa Cup, has kicked off at the sub-county level, bringing together all-star ward teams drawn from the recently concluded Ligi Mashinani tournament to battle for a place in the county finals.

The kick-off matches were held in Kilome and Makueni sub-counties, while Mbooni, Kibwezi East, Kibwezi West and Kaiti sub-counties will compete on 21st March 2026.

The tournament, which features football, volleyball, basketball and handball for both men and women teams, provides youth aged under 23 with an opportunity to showcase their talents and leverage possible recruitment opportunities into elite teams both nationally and internationally.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. flagged off the Makueni Sub-county finals at Kathonzweni AIC Grounds on Saturday. Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and Sports CECM Eng. Sebastian Kyoni graced the Kilome Sub-county finals at Enzai in Mukaa.

Governor Mutula said his administration has incorporated scouts from various national sports federations into the tournament to help identify outstanding talents who can join national clubs and commercialize their sporting abilities.

After the county finals, an all-star team will be selected to represent Makueni at the Kenya Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games scheduled to take place in Laikipia County next month.

Officials from Makueni County led by County Secretary Dr. Justine Kyambi, on Wednesday held a consultative meeting with Sports Kenya to review progress and agree on timelines for the completion of Wote Stadium, a National Government–funded sports infrastructure project.

During a joint site visit, the two teams agreed that the contractor will finalize all pending works by May 2026. The remaining scope includes construction of a retaining wall to prevent soil erosion, stone pitching on both sides of the field, installation of a tartan running track, completion of electrical works including a transformer and floodlights to enable night use, and finalization of the on-site borehole to make it fully operational.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, noted that the stadium will be completed to the required national standards as guided by Sports Kenya.

The team also visited two proposed sites for the construction of another stadium following President William Ruto’s directive.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing sports across the county, pledging continued investment in the construction and improvement of sporting facilities.

The governor was speaking at the Kitundu Sports Grounds after witnessing a series of thrilling competitions during this year’s annual Kithungo–Kitundu Sports Festival. He described Makueni County as a hotbed of talent, noting that nurturing and developing sports skills among the youth is key to empowering them and driving the county’s social and economic growth.

Governor Mutula praised the high level of competition on display, saying sports play a critical role in promoting discipline, unity, and healthy lifestyles among young people.

The festival brought together teams competing in athletics, football, basketball, and badminton, with both men’s and women’s teams taking part.

Winning teams and outstanding individuals were awarded sports merchandise, including uniforms and sports gear, while overall winners received cash prizes.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has urged parents to support their children placed in the arts and sports pathway following the recent learner placement exercise by the Ministry of Education.

The governor said he had noted concerns from some parents who were dissatisfied with their children being placed in talent-based pathways in KJSEA under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

Speaking during the annual Kithungo/Kitundu sports Festival at Kitundu Sports Grounds, Governor Mutula emphasized that not all learners are suited for the STEM pathway, adding that sports and the arts offer viable and rewarding career opportunities.

“Many people have excelled through sports. Parents should allow children to pursue what they are good at,” he said.

The festival featured football, basketball, badminton, and athletics, transforming Kitundu into a vibrant arena of competition and talent showcase.

Organizers said the tournament aims to nurture young athletes, identify raw talent, and bring youth together through sport, using athletics as a platform to shape future careers beyond the classroom.

Kyamatheka FC were crowned the 2025 Kilungu Ward Ligi Mashinani champions after edging Kyale FC 1–0 in a thrilling final played at Katulye Grounds on Sunday.

The champions weathered a spirited challenge from Kyale FC to finish top in a mouth-watering encounter graced by County Executive Committee Member for Sports Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and area MCA Joseph Mbindyo.

In the playoff match, Ndiani FC defeated Desert Warriors FC 2–0 to claim third place.

Ligi Mashinani is Makueni’s premier grassroots sporting league and has played a key role in talent scouting and development across the county.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Friday energized post–Jamhuri Day celebrations after officially commissioning an electrifying soccer and volleyball showdown at Kikima Secondary School grounds.

Addressing hundreds of enthusiastic youth and sports fans, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to elevating sports across the county.

Mutula praised the region’s growing talent pool and assured young people that increased investment in sporting facilities, training opportunities, and competitions remains a top priority.

Also present was Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili, as thrilling local matches kicked off moments after the commissioning—transforming Kikima into a lively arena of cheers, colour, and community spirit, reaffirming the county’s commitment to nurturing talent and uniting communities through sport.

Four athletes from Makueni County have earned spots on Kenya’s national paravolleyball team that will represent the country at the 2026 International Paravolleyball Championship in China.

The four – Purity Mueni, Florence Manza, Caroline Mueni, and Everline Mutuku—were selected to join the 12-member national squad after delivering standout performances during the national trials held in Wote, Makueni, from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th December 2025.

Makueni County Sports Director Ambrose Kisoi congratulated the athletes, describing their achievement as a result of the county’s substantial investment in sports, particularly under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. He noted that the administration’s commitment to talent development and inclusion continues to create opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

Makueni County’s men’s and women’s paravolleyball teams clinched second runners-up positions at the just-concluded National Paravolleyball Trials and Team Selection Tournament held in Wote, Makueni.

The three-day event, which ran from Thursday to Saturday, aiming at selecting Kenya’s squad for the 2026 International Paravolleyball Championship in China, attracted top teams from across the country. Siaya County secured the men’s championship title, while Bungoma County lifted the women’s trophy.

Makueni teams displayed impressive resilience, advancing to the semifinals where the men fell to Uasin Gishu and the women lost to Nairobi. However, both teams bounced back strongly in the playoffs, the men defeating Nairobi, and the women edging out Uasin Gishu, to secure their respective third-place trophies.

Makueni County Sports Director Ambrose Kisoi hailed the achievement as a testimony to the county’s strategic investments in disability sports, emphasizing the value of talent identification and nurturing at the grassroots level. He expressed optimism that Makueni athletes will earn spots in the national team to be selected from the tournament