How Kwale's football tournament is shaping peaceful communities

Youth in Kwale County are advancing a football tournament aimed at encouraging young people to uphold peace and unity while rejecting political exploitation.

The friendly matches involve teams from various counties, many of which have experienced significant crime issues.

The Kujenga Amani Project kicked off yesterday with great enthusiasm at Frere Town Primary School Stadium in Mombasa, attracting over 300 youth from Kwale and Mombasa (Likoni and Kisauni sub-counties).

Originally scheduled for Sheikh Khalifa Secondary School, the venue change did not dampen the spirit as 10 football teams competed on the pitch while participating in conflict mitigation and peace-building dialogues.

The two-day event, which integrates sports with arts, life skills, and mentorship, will see four teams advance to the semi-finals and finals on Monday.

The day will feature expert presentations on conflict management, youth livelihood opportunities, and a panel discussion on youth networking.

Part of the action during one of the friendly matches (C) Mishi Gongo

Project Officer Kadzo Jally, a lawyer and wellness advocate, leads the Kujenga Amani Project.

To date, the initiative has engaged over 800 youth—400 males and 400 females—across two counties, four sub-counties, and 20 villages with periodic conflict management sessions.

"In most cases, it is the youth who can maintain peace in an area or cause conflicts because they are in an active stage of their lives where adrenaline is high. We are using them as peace ambassadors through football, which is the most loved game," said the Project Officer.

She added that they are targeting areas with the highest crime rates and that girls are also included in the initiative.

Feisal Ali, among the players, said the initiative has been very beneficial.

"Dialogue and discussions have helped us find peaceful ways to solve conflicts. In the past, we would engage in fistfights whenever we had a misunderstanding, but now we have learned to talk and resolve our problems," he said.

He added that the games have kept them busy and productive, unlike before when they would waste time in Maskani (a local socialising space for youths).

Another player, Haroon Mwahanje, said the tournaments have helped them network and improve their socialisation skills.

"Now we are able to express ourselves. Networking has also helped some of us get job opportunities. We are also being taught about governance," he said.

Beneficiaries of the project extend beyond Kenya, with involvement from Kwale and Mombasa counties, as well as Tanga and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and Del Gado District in Mozambique.

The event is supported by several organisations, including the European Union in Kenya, CEFA-Kenya & Somalia, and the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, among others.