By Issa Hussein - Reporter
July 7, 2026 - Wajir County is set to strengthen grassroots football and nurture sporting talent following talks between Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed on a strategic partnership aimed at expanding opportunities for young people.
The discussions focused on developing football structures in the county through improved coaching, talent identification, player development, officiating and youth competitions to provide aspiring players with pathways to compete at both national and international levels.
Governor Abdullahi said the partnership marks the next phase of the county's investment in sports following the completion of the Ahmed Khalif Stadium, a project implemented jointly by the County Government of Wajir and the National Government under the leadership of President William Ruto.
"With the completion of the Ahmed Khalif Stadium, Wajir is entering a new era of sports development. Our focus is now on strengthening coaching, talent identification, player development, officiating and youth competitions so that our young people have clear pathways to compete at the national and international levels," the governor said.
He noted that the county's strategy has always been to invest in infrastructure that creates opportunities for young people and contributes to social and economic transformation.
"This is the vision we have pursued from the outset—investing in infrastructure that creates opportunities and transforms lives. That vision is taking shape, and Wajir is ready to become a hub for sports talent in northern Kenya," he added.
The Ahmed Khalif Stadium is expected to serve as a key sporting facility in the region, providing a venue for local leagues, youth tournaments and other sporting events while helping identify and nurture football talent from Wajir and neighbouring counties.
The proposed collaboration with FKF is also expected to strengthen the technical capacity of coaches and match officials, while creating a structured talent development system that will enable promising players from Wajir to progress into elite football competitions.
The initiative aligns with the county government's broader agenda of using sports as a tool for youth empowerment, job creation and social cohesion, while positioning Wajir as an emerging centre for sports development in northern Kenya.
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