John Mwaura’s quiet mission to give Eastleigh’s youth a second chance
In Eastleigh, where many young people face limited opportunities, one coach has spent over a decade using football as a tool for transformation. John Mwaura’s Eastleigh Youth FC is more than just a team - it’s a lifeline for dozens of boys finding their way through sport.
In the heart of Nairobi’s Eastleigh, where many young people grapple with economic hardship and social uncertainty, one man is helping change that reality, armed with nothing more than a football and a vision. John “Uncole” Mwaura, founder and head coach of Eastleigh Youth FC, has redefined what it means to serve a community through sport.
To Coach Mwaura, football isn’t just about goals and trophies - it’s a lifeline. Over the years, he has seen the game reshape lives, keeping vulnerable youth off the streets and instilling discipline and self-belief.
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“Through football, I’ve seen young people not just grow in the sport but also find their footing in life,” he says. “Some have even started their own ventures.”
For over 15 years, Mwaura has led Eastleigh Youth FC, a grassroots club currently competing in Kenya’s Division Two. While on-field achievements matter, he measures success by the transformation he sees in his players - school dropouts returning to class, families rediscovering hope, and young people reclaiming purpose.
“There are kids who stopped schooling simply because they couldn’t afford fees, some as early as Form Two,” he says. “Through partnerships and friends, we’ve managed to secure scholarships and get them back in school.”
My congratulations to Eastleigh Youth FC for clinching the Nairobi East League Champions Cup after beating Kayole FC 6-5 at Camp Toyoyo Grounds yesterday, & for being promoted to the FKF Division Two League. Keep it up. You are destined for greater things. pic.twitter.com/HRNhm4ngIB
— Yusuf Hassan (@MPyusufhassan) October 18, 2021
Born and raised in Eastleigh’s Airbase Ward, Mwaura founded the club in 2008 after witnessing a worrying rise in youth idleness. Instead of watching from the sidelines, he created a space where young people could dream again.
“The idea behind Eastleigh Youth FC was simple,” he explains. “To give idle and jobless youth something meaningful to be part of - football was the most immediate and impactful way to connect.”
Inclusivity remains central to Mwaura’s mission. There are no joining fees, no background checks - just commitment. “We have players coming from all over Nairobi, even places like Buruburu,” he says. “If someone is ready to train and improve, we’ll find a place for them.”
Running a community club without corporate backing is no easy task. Finances are tight, and travel or equipment costs can strain the team’s limited resources. But Mwaura relies on a tight-knit network of former players and friends to keep the club afloat.
“We’re constantly hustling, especially for gear and transport,” he admits. “But the commitment from those who’ve been part of this journey keeps us going - they know what this club stands for.”
For Mwaura, football is a vehicle - a way to teach responsibility, build character, and offer hope. His role as coach extends well beyond the pitch.
“We’re shaping lives here,” he says with quiet conviction. “Football is just the starting point.”
Through sheer will, compassion, and consistency, Coach John Mwaura has turned Eastleigh Youth FC into more than a football team. It’s a second home, a classroom, and for many, a new beginning. His influence, rooted in one of Nairobi’s toughest neighbourhoods, is sure to be felt for generations.
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