Kiambu: Kiambu County has formed over 20 football clubs and has begun engaging the youths in playing football as a way of curbing drug abuse. Among the football clubs included are Blue Raiders Academy, Kiambu Rising, and Ack Cathedral, among others. Clubs like Blue Raiders Academy have two teams: the senior team, which comprises youths of the ages of 17 to 22 years, and the junior team, composed of those aged 16 and below.
According to Kenya News Agency, Isaac Onyango, also known as Saka, who coaches the Blue Raiders and Kiambu Rising teams, emphasized the inclusion of various age groups to maximize youth participation. “To ensure that we incorporate as many youths as possible, we have come up with two teams for the older youths and another one for the much younger ones,” said Saka. The teams meet at least four times a week for training and compete in weekend tournaments.
Saka noted that engaging in football has transformed the lives of many youths, leaving them little time to engage in harmful activities such as drug abuse and crime. “This football has transformed the lives of many youth, as they barely have free time left to engage in alcoholism or any criminal activities; hence, this is also helping on matters of insecurity in the region,” he explained. He urged parents and stakeholders to support youth involvement in cocurricular activities to help reduce drug abuse and nurture talent.
Simon Irungu, a boda-boda rider and member of the Kiambu Rising team, expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the club. “Nothing makes me happy like knowing I will get to meet with my fellow youth after doing my work for our football training and also get to train the upcoming young stars,” he shared. The football clubs also educate youths on the effects of drug abuse and ways to seek help.
The efforts in Kiambu are aligned with findings from a 2022 report by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), which identified the Central Region as having a high prevalence of drug abuse. The survey revealed that one in six Kenyans aged 15 to 65 was currently abusing at least one drug.
Wilfred Mbogo, the Kiambu County NACADA representative, stressed the importance of supporting youth sports initiatives to further reduce street involvement. “The youths now have something to engage their free time. We therefore need to support youth sports programmes at the county level and in the grassroots,” Mbogo stated.
Research from the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention highlights that participation in team sports can enhance self-esteem, improve stress management, boost academic performance, and foster healthier family relationships.