Grannies’ Football Tournaments Challenge Harmful Traditions in West Pokot
The hope is that as more grannies join the game, the message gets louder, and harmful practices lose their grip for good.
West Pokot County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Gender, Youth and Sports Lucky Litole said the tournaments are part of a broader county strategy aimed at empowering women. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Football’s not the first thing you’d think of when it comes to fighting long-standing traditions like FGM, early marriage, or gender-based violence in West Pokot County. But lately, it’s become a surprising force for change—thanks to a group you might not expect. Grandmothers, or “grannies” as everyone calls them, have taken up football, turning the pitch into a stage for activism and a safe space for young girls and women.
All over West Pokot, women aged 50 and up are lacing up their boots, organizing matches, and using these tournaments to talk openly about issues that have hurt women for generations. What started as a fun way for older women to get moving has grown into a grassroots movement. These grannies aren’t just playing—they’re pushing their communities to rethink old, harmful customs like FGM, teen pregnancy, and forced marriages.
Tackling Deep-Seated Harm
Female Genital Mutilation—FGM—is still a reality here. It’s painful, risky, and justified by old beliefs about controlling women or upholding some idea of “modesty.” But the world sees it for what it is: a violation of girls’ and women’s rights. Even with laws and campaigns against it, a lot of girls in West Pokot still face the threat every year.
That’s where football comes in. Last year, the county’s Department of Gender, Youth, and Sports kicked off women’s football tournaments, hoping sports could get people talking. And it’s working. These games bring folks together, spark real conversations, and slowly chip away at the silence around harmful traditions.
More Than Just a Game
For the women playing, it’s about more than awareness. There are real health benefits, too. Take Rose Nyangaita from Keringet village. She says football changed her life. Before joining the team, she battled high blood pressure and diabetes, but regular exercise helped her feel better—stronger, even happier.
She’s not alone. Other women have lost weight, built up strength in their knees, and found a new sense of energy. Rose hopes the government keeps supporting the program so more women get a chance to join in.
Football, Friendship, and Stress Relief
Margaret Tallam, a 57-year-old from Kamariny, says the matches have brought women closer together and made life less stressful. For her, the field is a break from daily worries—a place to laugh, move, and forget about chores for a while. She’s noticed women becoming more confident and active since joining, and she says everyone leaves the pitch feeling lighter.
County Backing Makes a Difference
Lucky Litole, who heads Gender, Youth, and Sports in West Pokot, sees the tournaments as part of a bigger push to empower women and spark real change. At a recent match in Kapenguria, she cheered on teams from several villages, along with local youth teams. Litole says the women’s passion proves that sports can boost both body and mind.
She pointed out something simple but powerful: when mothers come together to play, they walk, laugh, and build friendships. That energy spreads. These grannies go back home and talk to their neighbors about the dangers of FGM and the importance of protecting girls. They’re not just players anymore—they’re advocates.
Growing the Movement
The county isn’t stopping here. They’re investing in the program and looking for ways to reach even more women across the region. The hope is that as more grannies join the game, the message gets louder, and harmful practices lose their grip for good.
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