In the heart of Kisumu’s Manyatta estate, football has become more than just a sport. For years, it has served as a tool for peace, mentorship, and social transformation within one of the city’s most vibrant communities. At the center of that journey stands Manyatta FC, a grassroots football club whose story stretches far beyond the pitch.
Founded in 2009 under the Manyatta Youth Resource Center, the club emerged during one of Kenya’s most difficult periods. Following the 2007 post-election violence that shook communities across the country, a group of local leaders sought to create an initiative that would promote peace, unity, and coexistence among young people in the area. That vision gave birth to Manyatta FC.
When LTN Sports visited the club’s training base at Jomo Kenyatta Grounds in Kisumu ahead of 5th edition of Chapa Dimba tournament, the atmosphere reflected a team deeply rooted in community values. Young players trained intensely on the field while others gathered around the touchline listening to instructions from coaches. Beyond football drills and tactical sessions, there was a clear sense that the club represented something much bigger.
Speaking during the visit, co-founder and General Manager of Manyatta Youth Resource Center, Anthony “Mzee” Obalah, reflected on how the idea was born from a desire to ensure the violence witnessed in 2007 would never happen again.
“It was started as a peace initiative after the 2007 post-election violence. The idea was to preach peace and ensure such events never reoccur in our community,” Obalah explained.
Over the years, the organization has expanded beyond football. At the resource center, programs focusing on crime prevention, peaceful coexistence, and life skills education form a major part of their work with young people.
According to Obalah, life lessons remain just as important as football development.
“There is time dedicated to life skills where we teach the players important values beyond football,” he noted.
The project has since grown steadily from humble beginnings in sub-county competitions to Division Two football, where Manyatta FC currently competes. For a community-driven side operating with limited resources, the journey itself represents a significant achievement.
But sustaining the club remains one of the biggest challenges.
Like many grassroots teams across Kenya, Manyatta FC survives largely through contributions from friends, supporters, and well-wishers who believe in the project.
“We appeal to well-wishers to help us finance day-to-day activities, including paying referees and travelling logistics,” said Obalah.
Despite the financial difficulties, the club continues to impact lives and produce football talent capable of competing at the highest level.
Among the notable players who have passed through Manyatta FC are Rooney Onyango, who earned a move to Gor Mahia F.C. before later relocating to Europe, and Shem Oluoch, who currently features for Rangers. The club has also nurtured the Omala brothers now playing for Nairobi United, Kenya’s representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup this season.
Former Gor Mahia F.C. player Sydney Wahongo and NSL player Steve Nyandiga are also among the talents developed through the Manyatta system.
Much of the club’s national recognition came through the Safaricom Chapa Dimba tournament, which significantly changed perceptions around grassroots football within the community.
Obalah recalls how difficult it initially was convincing parents that football could genuinely benefit their children.
“Before, parents used to ask us how football was helping their kids. But when we won Chapa Dimba in 2019 and every player received Ksh 50,000, many parents began understanding the importance of football,” he said.
The support from Safaricom during the COVID-19 period further strengthened trust in the program.
“In 2020 during COVID, Safaricom gave us goods worth Ksh 500,000 for the players. That changed the perception even more because parents became positive about our programs.”
Beyond the boys’ team, the Manyatta Youth Resource Center also runs Manyatta Girls Under-15, a developing project targeting school-going girls. The initiative combines football and social support, with players training mostly during weekends and school holidays.
The center also operates feeding programs for the young girls as part of efforts to keep them engaged, healthy, and motivated through sport.
On the pitch, Manyatta FC’s Chapa Dimba journey has been filled with both heartbreak and triumph. Their first appearance in the tournament ended at the regional stage before the club eventually captured the title in 2019. In the most recent edition, however, they fell short against rivals Obunga FC during the Kisumu regional finals.
That rivalry has since become one of the most talked-about battles in Kisumu grassroots football, symbolizing two community clubs striving to uplift young talent under difficult circumstances.
Yet beyond the competition, the story of Manyatta FC remains one of resilience and purpose.
From a peace-building initiative born out of national tragedy to a respected football pathway producing elite talent, the club has become proof that grassroots football can transform communities when driven by vision and commitment.
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