Chesang launches football tournament to mobilise Trans Nzoia youth to register as voters

Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang has launched the fourth edition of the Allan Chesang Super Cup, positioning the popular football tournament as a rallying platform to mobilise young people across the county to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during the launch at Maridadi Primary School, the senator said the youth hold the key to Kenya’s political and economic future and urged them to use their numbers to influence leadership through the ballot.

“We cannot keep complaining about poor leadership and still fail to act,” said Chesang.

“The power to change leadership lies in our hands through the ballot. This Super Cup is not just about football, it’s about awakening civic responsibility and building a generation that votes for transformation.”

Chesang called on young people to support President William Ruto’s re-election bid, while urging them to vote out leaders he said had failed to deliver on their mandates.

He particularly took aim at Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, accusing him of mismanaging the county’s key sectors, including health.

“The health system is collapsing, and residents are suffering. That’s why I’ve taken the initiative, with limited resources, to introduce mobile clinics to ensure people can still access basic medical care,” he said.

The senator said the Super Cup, now in its fourth year, has evolved into one of the largest youth events in Trans Nzoia, combining sports and civic education to inspire social responsibility.

He said the tournament will serve a dual purpose: nurturing football talent and promoting political awareness through voter registration drives.

This year’s edition will feature both men’s and women’s teams drawn from across all the county’s sub-counties.

The men’s champions will walk away with Sh1.5 million, while the women’s champions will receive Sh1.85 million. All participating teams will also be given two full sets of uniforms, courtesy of the senator’s office.

“The Allan Chesang Super Cup is about scoring progress both on and off the pitch,” he added.

“It’s a movement for talent, empowerment, and voter awareness. We want to use football as a tool to unite communities and empower the youth to take part in shaping their future.”

Organisers say the tournament will run over several weeks, with matches hosted across different sub-counties.

It is expected to attract hundreds of young players, football scouts, and spectators, creating opportunities for talent discovery and mentorship.

Chesang said the initiative is part of his broader plan to use sports as a driver for youth engagement, community cohesion, and political participation.

He noted that while many young people are passionate about football, few are actively involved in decision-making processes.

“If the youth can fill stadiums, they can also fill polling stations,” he said. “This is the message we’re driving through this tournament.”

The senator pledged continued support for youth empowerment initiatives and called on local leaders, corporate sponsors, and government agencies to partner in expanding opportunities for young people through sports and civic education.