Honia-Heal Afrika Initiative (HAI)

By Gĩtaũ wa Kũngʼũ 
Kahumbu Ward, Murang’a County

In a whirlwind of dust, determination, and dancing dreams, the GenZ Football Tournament lit up Mugumoini Playground this past Sunday with the vivacity stirring lax young football talents and summoned history at the same time.
Beneath the symbolic shadow of Mugumo, the sacred fig tree of the Gĩkũyũ, Kahumbu young football talents roled the ball to score goals to the exuberance of the soccer thrill as fans enjoyed the thrilling moments. It was more than just a football tournament.

The pitch may be pothole-ridden, but that did not stop Mugumoini FC from claiming their namesake turf, winning the men’s finals against Kairi FC and walking off with KSh 50,000. In what many called “a duel of dust and destiny,” the victory became poetic: the home team conquering the homeland soil.

Kairi Queens stole the women’s finals with elegance and fire, securing KSh 20,000 in a performance that was part protest, part prophecy. 

Every team received kits, footballs, and a stipend of KSh 4,000, while referees and linesmen earned KSh 1,000 and KSh 500 respectively. But it was the awards that turned heads—and chuckles. Best Goalkeeper took home a gas cylinder, top scorer won a microwave, and other standout players were gifted with cash bonuses.

“We shall also sponsor three players per team to attend the Kenya vs. Morocco match at Kasarani on Sunday, 10th August to inspire the blooming talents that they too can play at the National football team Harambee Stars and across the world,” Kahumbu MCA Chefman ascertained.

However, the tournament also cast a spotlight on the need for structured county development, especially in sports and creative talent. Mugumoini is more than a neglected pitch—it’s a metaphor for neglected potential.

The Mugumoini playground which the posters from MCA’s office clearly called Mugumoini Mugumoini Stadium, is the playground for Mugumoini Primary School. The name ‘Mugumoini’ literally translates to the “place of the Mugumo tree”.

The ‘Mugumoini Stadium’ is just one of the Ward’s football pitches where the all nineteen teams that were enrolled in the competition clashed however scream for worthy attention from the County government.

With the patronage of Hon. Chefman Isaac Njoroge, the event welcomed 15 men’s and 4 women’s teams, proving that talent survives even when infrastructure falters.

“We thank MCA Chefman and Murang’a County government under Governor Kang’ata and Youths CECM Gacuca for supporting football talents. I think Mugumoini shouldn’t be a one-day miracle. Looking forward to many more,” one Mugumoini player commented.

One elderly fan of the game commented that he was enjoying more than the experience of the tournament.
“To me however, this is an awakening of the community. Mugumoini is where the Mugumo tree once stood, or still stands spiritually. I hope Mhesh Chefman takes this chance to usher in the rebirth of the traditional Gĩkũyũ shrines,” Mzee said.

The tournament is also happening across the other ward in Murang’a County.