By Robert Mutasi 
The government has set aside Sh63 million for a nationwide sporting tournament that will form part of the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations in Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the tournament will bring together communities through football, volleyball, athletics and basketball while creating opportunities for young people to showcase their talent.
Speaking in Eldoret during the launch of the Mashujaa Day Sporting Tournament, Murkomen said the competitions will begin at the ward level on September 26 before progressing to sub-county and county stages.
The three North Rift counties will jointly host the main activities, with the programme also linked to ongoing government projects targeting sports infrastructure and other development areas.
“The 2026 Mashujaa Day Sporting Tournament will consolidate our ongoing efforts to promote peace and cohesion in all parts of our country,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS said the tournament is part of efforts to ensure the national celebrations have a direct impact at the grassroots by giving young people an opportunity to participate in organised sports.
The football finals will be held in Eldoret on October 20, while the volleyball finals will take place in Nandi on October 19. The Iten Marathon is scheduled for October 18 in Elgeyo-Marakwet.
Murkomen said the government is also accelerating the development of sports facilities in the three counties, including stadium upgrades and the establishment of sports academies.
He said 34 sports stadia are currently under development across the country as part of a wider government programme to expand sporting infrastructure.
The government is also establishing community sports facilities in constituencies while improving roads and electricity connections in the three host counties.
The tournament will feature competitions at ward, sub-county and county levels, with cash prizes available for top performers.
At the ward level, winners will receive Sh50,000, while second, third and fourth positions will receive Sh25,000, Sh15,000 and Sh10,000 respectively.
At the sub-county level, the winner will receive Sh200,000, followed by Sh150,000 for second place, Sh100,000 for third and Sh50,000 for fourth.
County-level winners will receive Sh300,000. The second, third and fourth positions will receive Sh250,000, Sh150,000 and Sh100,000 respectively.
In volleyball, the sub-county winner will receive Sh100,000, while the second, third and fourth positions will receive Sh50,000, Sh30,000 and Sh20,000 respectively.
Murkomen said athletes will also take part in an awareness programme covering athlete welfare and protection, anti-doping regulations, legal matters and talent development.
The Kenya Academy of Sports will conduct a seven-day coaching programme from October 7 to 14 at Kipchoge Sports Complex in Nandi, Iten Vocational Training Centre in Elgeyo-Marakwet and Eldoret National Polytechnic in Uasin Gishu.
The launch brought together governors Jonathan Bii of Uasin Gishu, Wisley Rotich of Elgeyo-Marakwet and Stephen Sang of Nandi, alongside Members of Parliament, county officials and other local leaders.
Murkomen urged leaders from the three counties to coordinate their efforts and ensure preparations for the celebrations and sporting activities remain on schedule.
The Mashujaa Day programme is expected to combine national celebrations with sporting activities aimed at promoting youth participation, talent development and community cohesion across the North Rift.
Eldoret Leo