The two-day tournament at the Ng'ombeni primary school grounds in Matuga, Kwale county, came to an end with the final blow of the whistle.
Regardless of the outcome of the football match, teams, supporters and spectators remained calm, making it a historic event in the region.
Ng'ombeni is known for insecurity as machete-yielding juvenile gangs reign terror on residents and commuters.
It is among villages in Kwale where events such as the football tournament could not be held without bloodshed, and a contingent of police officers would often be deployed to maintain law and order.
It was almost impossible to bring together youth from various villages as enmity intensified.
The gangs comprising young people aged 9-17 would hunt one another and engage in retaliatory attacks, creating fear among residents.
This year's football competition dubbed the 'Ng'ombeni Peace Tournament' was therefore different.
As the finals approached, there were neither police officers nor other security personnel present on the field.
Calmness and brotherhood was witnessed even in the most provoking times during the matches - a sign that security is slowly improving and youth are embracing and changing lives through sports.
This is thanks to Samba Sports Youth Agenda, a coastal organisation through the Kujenga Amani project.
Funded by the European Union and other partners, the project seeks to mobilise youth and civil society to strengthen peace and cohesion along the Swahili Coast in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique.
Samba Sports CEO Mohammed Ali Mwachausa said youth want peace but they lack a listening ear.
"Dialogue and addressing challenges affecting youth is the best remedy for insecurity," Mwachausa said.
Through the project they have reached more than 800 youth from the insecurity-prone areas, sensitising them against crime and drug abuse.
Other affected villages include Tiwi, Waa, Mbweka, Denyenye, Gombato, and Kinondo among others.
Mwachausa said many youth battle depression and lack the means to rescue themselves thus engage in crime and drugs to vent their anger.
Awareness Campaigns
The first phase of the program involved dialogue and saw youth were drawn from various parts of the county.
This was targeted to create trust between the young people and peace stakeholders.
Mwachausa said the youth were then taken through peace talks to help build their resilience and foster cohesion.
During the tournaments, youth were also engaged in talks that took place in between the matches.
The program was successful and the initiative was a turning point for most of the young people.
Mwachausa said many vowed to quit crime and drugs to concentrate on nurturing their talents.
He noted that most youth are very talented but lack support and a platform to develop and showcase their skills.
The football tournaments revived their hope and the youth are looking forward to getting out of crime through sporting activities.
He said the calm witnessed during the football matches was a breakthrough. Rival groups assisted one another and shared a light moment together.
Apart from football, participants were also engaged in peace quiz competitions. Various dignity kits were awarded as prizes.
Mwachausa said the choice of prizes was geared at improving hygiene and confidence among the youth.
Winners also received football kits and other equipment.
This tournament saw Kinondo United beat their close competitors Tiwi Shinners 2-0.
Faume Hamisi, who coaches the Denyenye Combine FC team affirmed that the tournament brought peace.
In the past, tension would build up and businesses would close as early as 6pm.
Youth in the area constantly warred against each other, without valid reasons and juvenile criminal gangs had killed and injured several people.
Hamisi thanked the football initiative.
"This place was once feared for its insecurity, but now we are witnessing peaceful tournaments. This has never happened before," he said.
New chapter
SR, a youth and footballer from Kibundani, which is one of the insecurity-affected areas, said he chose to avoid crime and drugs to live a better life.
The peace talks "opened his mind" and he wants to be a better person.
The 16-year-old hopes to use the peace project to showcase his abilities and become one of Kenya's best players.
SR said youth are pushed into crime and drugs due to a lack of opportunities, and Samba Sports has transformed him.
"I want to use sports to promote peace because it feels good to be appreciated and walk freely without fear of being attacked," he said.
The form one student committed to finishing his education and being a responsible citizen, saying many of his colleagues had dropped out of school because of drugs and crime, and he wouldn't want to go down the same road.
AE, another Ukunda youth, praised the program, saying it provided them with exposure and networking opportunities.
The football tournaments made him realise the perils of crime and that opportunities are available.
AE said as jobs are scarce and self-employment is the way to go, he will concentrate on sharpening his talent in sports.
The 21-year-old is a goalkeeper and wants to play in international leagues in future.
He will also complete his education, since talent must be accompanied by academic papers.
"Talents without paper are not very powerful, but if you are an expert in a specific field, it is an added advantage," he said.
