National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has lauded the role played by grassroots sports in nurturing young talent.

Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the Ford Kenya party leader said community-based tournaments are key to identifying and developing future stars.

Wetang’ula made the remarks after attending the finals of a football and volleyball championship sponsored by the Principal Secretary for Industrialisation, Dr Juma Mukhwana, in Kabuchai Constituency, Bungoma County.

The event was held at Namilama Primary School and attracted teams and spectators from across the region.

“As the year came to an end, I honoured an invitation from the Principal Secretary for Industrialisation, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, to attend the finals of a football and volleyball championship he sponsored at Namilama Primary School in Kabuchai Constituency, Bungoma County,” Wetang’ula wrote on X.

Bungoma talents

He further noted that Bungoma County is one of the regions rich in talent, which can only be identified and nurtured through such tournaments.

“Bungoma County is rich in talent, and such tournaments play a key role in identifying, exposing, and nurturing young talent in sports,” Wetang’ula stated.

Leaders have normalised organising grassroots sports tournaments towards the end of the year, which they also use as platforms to engage with the locals on the ground.

County tournaments

In neighbouring counties and beyond, similar tournaments have become centrepieces of community engagement.

In Homa Bay County, the recently concluded Genowa Governor’s Cup has become a major fixture, attracting thousands of participants across football, volleyball, and netball, and serving as a platform for emerging athletes to showcase their skills to scouts and sponsors.

The finals in Homa Bay were held over the weekend, with President William Ruto attending the event that was hosted at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay on Sunday, December 28, 2025.

In Machakos County, the Wavinya Cup, sponsored by Governor Wavinya Ndeti, drew massive youth participation, with earlier editions featuring over 10,000 youth and more than 600 teams battling for top honours and opportunities for progression in sport.