Trans Nzoia: Sports to end crime in slums
Recognizing the untapped potential within the slums, the leaders underscored the need to harness the immense talents prevalent among the youth
Photo Sakah Richard
In response to the escalating cases of crime and drug abuse in slum areas of Trans Nzoia, a group of leaders, spearheaded by Tuwani Ward MCA Francis Daddy Were, has turned to sports as a strategic tool to address these social challenges.
MCA Were expressed deep concern over the surge in crime rates within the slum areas, attributing the issue to a lack of viable opportunities for the predominantly youth population, leading to widespread engagement in drug abuse and criminal activities. He remarked, “We have the largest population of slum dwellers who do not have meaningful ways of earning a living, thus burdening us with the problem of drug abuse with the youths resorting to crime to earn money to buy more drugs.”
Recognizing the untapped potential within the slums, the leaders underscored the need to harness the immense talents prevalent among the youth. MCA Were emphasized, “Look at Tuwani ward; we have more than thirty football teams for both men and women but lack support to showcase their talent, ending up drowning the expertise in illegal brews.”
In urging the county government to play a pivotal role, Were emphasized the necessity of constructing and maintaining sports facilities that meet established standards. He stated, “We have few remaining playing fields, with most public utility grounds being grabbed by influential people, making us rely on school fields and limiting sporting exercises to only school holidays.”
Launching the inaugural Daddy Were Cup at Kaloleni Primary School, MCA Were reiterated his commitment to elevating the status of sports in slum areas. He envisioned the establishment of a robust sports organization that would attract and nurture talents, steering them away from illicit activities towards stardom. He stated, “We want a robust sports organization that will see to it that we attract these talents and move them from brewers’ dens to stardom, as Trans Nzoia is known as a hotbed of talent.”
The tournament, scheduled to run until December 17, involves thirty-two men’s teams and two women’s teams competing for various prizes in football, including uniforms and boots. Additionally, exceptional players may seize the opportunity to audition for major league teams.
Simultaneously, the county government, under the leadership of Governor George Natembeya, is embarking on a significant overhaul of major sporting grounds to tap into the vast talents within the county. Governor Natembeya affirmed the commitment to leveling at least two fields in each of the twenty-five wards, providing the youth with the infrastructure needed to channel their talents for personal development and community advancement. He stated during the cup launch in Chepchoina market, “We are working to see to it that we level at least two fields in all the twenty-five wards to enable our youths to use their talents to their benefit.”
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