Turkana’s torchbearer: transformative power of sports

Nestled in the “hot oven” of Kenya, a dynamic force for change is stamping an indelible mark.
Rael Nkoi Lomoti is more than just a sports enthusiast – she is a driving force for social transformation, both in her home county – Turkana – and the country as a whole.

In an exclusive interview with People Sport, the former Gaspo Women FC defender, shares her insights on how sports can ignite progress in health, education, gender equality, and peace among many other development initiatives.

For her, sports represent a holistic approach to wellness in Kenya as she passionately advocates that physical exercises and sports activities can be the key to preventing prevalent diseases such as hypertension.

Her vision includes using sports tournaments not just for competition but also to raise vital awareness about non-communicable diseases and to mobilize communities for health evaluations.
She underscores the significance of policies such as universal health coverage and socioeconomic human rights, which form the foundation for delivering quality healthcare to every Kenyan.

Initiatives like leveraging sports tournaments for disease prevention and treatment are central to her strategy for a healthier nation.

“What people haven’t realized is how powerful sports is. We can use sports to bring change to our communities. Like, for example, sports tournaments can be used to create awareness of non-communicable diseases, prevention and treatment.

“Besides, sporting activities can be used as tools for mobilization to conduct an evaluation for the level of infections to enhance informed planning by stakeholders,” she says, adding that it’s also through sports that the holistic well-being of individuals can be promoted.

With inclusivity at the core of her mission, the football maestro actively champions gender equality through sports, organizing tournaments that embrace all genders and groups, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Her unwavering belief is that sports can serve as a catalyst, mobilizing resources to address pressing challenges, ranging from insecurity to the effects of climate change, particularly in marginalized communities, like where she hails from.

“I have a Community-Based Organization (CBO) called Desert Roses Community Development, and basically, what I’m currently emphasizing, is sports for development for our young girls, who, for so many years, have been left behind for so many reasons–cultre being one of the major contributors,” she adds.

In a nation where ethnic tensions can simmer, the resilient sports enthusiast sees sports as a powerful force for unity. She firmly believes that sports can play a mediating role in conflicts.

She says: “Sports offer a unique platform for people from diverse backgrounds to come together. Through sports events, meaningful dialogues unfold, and messages of peace resonate. Thus, the a need to heavily invest in sports.”

To enhance sports accessibility in Kenya, she, further, advocates for strategic investments in sports infrastructure. She suggests creating more venues suitable for hosting national tournaments and offering incentives such as land and tax benefits to attract corporate partners keen on nurturing the sports ecosystem.

Lomoti envisions a Kenyan education system that wholeheartedly embraces sports. Her vision includes incorporating sports into the curriculum, recognizing and rewarding sporting talent, and securing adequate funding for sports programs to equip learners with indispensable life skills like teamwork.

One partnership that shines brightly in Rael’s narrative is the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) and she remarks, “It (MYSA) has successfully harnessed the power of sports to prevent violence in informal settlements of Dandora, Mathare, Kariobangi and many others. This model of collaboration is just one example of how sports can be a potent tool for positive change.”

She isn’t just focused on the immediate benefits of sports; she sees its potential to mobilize both people and resources for climate action.

“Skills like discipline and teamwork, nurtured through sports, can inspire active participation in environmental sustainability,” she asserts.

Her commitment to inclusivity is evident in her advocacy for open membership rules in sports. Her vision is for everyone, regardless of background, to feel welcome and embraced by the world of sports. She emphasizes that sports should transcend political, religious, or any affiliations and be open to all.