Deep within Kisumu’s Manyatta estate, football has evolved into far more than a weekend pastime. For many young people in the area, the game has become a pathway to discipline, mentorship, and hope — all driven by the efforts of a grassroots club determined to transform lives beyond the touchline.
Established in 2009 under the Manyatta Youth Resource Center, Manyatta FC was formed in the aftermath of the 2007 post-election violence that deeply affected communities across Kenya. Local leaders and community members came together with one goal: to create a safe space where young people from different backgrounds could unite through sport and help rebuild social cohesion.
Today, the club stands as one of Kisumu’s most respected community football projects.
When LTN Sports visited the team during preparations for the fifth edition of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament at Jomo Kenyatta Grounds, the atmosphere reflected a club built on structure, discipline, and community spirit. Players trained intensely under the watch of coaches while others listened carefully from the sidelines, highlighting an environment focused not only on football development but also personal growth.
Anthony “Mzee” Obalah, co-founder and General Manager of the Manyatta Youth Resource Center, said the initiative was born from a desire to prevent communities from reliving the painful events witnessed in 2007.
“The project started as a peace initiative after the post-election violence. We wanted to use football to encourage unity and peaceful coexistence among young people,” he explained.
Over time, the organization expanded its programs to include mentorship, crime prevention, and life skills training, using football as an entry point to engage the youth positively.
According to Obalah, character-building remains central to the club’s philosophy.
“We dedicate time to teaching life skills because football alone is not enough. The players also need guidance on values and personal development,” he said.
From competing in local sub-county tournaments, Manyatta FC has gradually risen through the football ranks and now features in Division Two competition — a major milestone for a community-run side operating with limited financial resources.
Despite the progress, financing remains one of the club’s biggest hurdles.
Like many grassroots teams in Kenya, the club depends heavily on support from friends, community members, and well-wishers to sustain daily operations such as transport, referee payments, and training logistics.
“We still rely on support from people who believe in what we are doing. Running the club is not easy because there are many expenses involved,” Obalah noted.
Even with those challenges, Manyatta FC has successfully nurtured players who have progressed to higher levels of the game.
Among the club’s notable success stories is Rooney Onyango, who rose through the ranks before earning a move to Gor Mahia F.C. and later securing opportunities in Europe. Other players developed by the club include Shem Oluoch of Rangers, the Omala brothers currently playing for Nairobi United, former Gor Mahia player Sydney Wahongo, and National Super League player Steve Nyandiga.
The club’s breakthrough on the national stage largely came through the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament, which significantly changed how football was viewed within the community.
Obalah recalled that convincing parents to support football initially proved difficult, with many questioning whether the sport could genuinely benefit their children.
“That changed after we won Chapa Dimba in 2019. Each player received Ksh50,000 and parents started seeing football differently,” he said.
Support received during the COVID-19 pandemic further strengthened confidence in the project.
“Safaricom supported the players with goods worth Ksh500,000 during the pandemic. That support helped parents appreciate the impact of the program even more,” he added.
Beyond the boys’ team, the resource center also runs the Manyatta Girls Under-15 side, a developing initiative aimed at empowering school-going girls through football and mentorship. The girls train mainly during weekends and school holidays, with the center also providing feeding programs to support their wellbeing and keep them actively involved in sport.
On the pitch, Manyatta FC’s Chapa Dimba journey has seen moments of both disappointment and glory. After initially falling short at the regional level, the club eventually lifted the title in 2019. In the latest edition, however, they narrowly missed out after losing to rivals Obunga FC in the Kisumu regional finals.
The growing rivalry between the two clubs has since become one of the standout storylines in Kisumu grassroots football, reflecting the fierce competition between community teams working to create opportunities for young players.
But beyond trophies and rivalries, Manyatta FC’s greatest achievement may lie in its wider social impact.
What began as a peace-building initiative following one of Kenya’s darkest periods has grown into a respected football institution shaping lives, nurturing talent, and proving that grassroots sport can become a powerful force for community transformation.
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