FOOTBALL Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed believes strengthening leagues and competitions at all levels is key to closing the gap with leading football nations.
Mohammed said Kenya must accelerate its football development agenda through investment in infrastructure, youth development and commercialisation to remain competitive globally.
“There are no short cuts. We must immediately build our high-performance technical centres and pitches for schools and our local communities across the country. All leagues and competitions at every level, for both boys and girls, must be strengthened. We must successfully commercialise football if it is to become a viable economic pillar for our youth and the sports ecosystem,” he said.
The FKF boss maintained that Kenyan football was on the right path but warned against allowing poor leadership and personal interests to derail progress.
“We are on the right path, albeit one fraught with thorny pathways and dark alleys. To allow mediocrity, hate, bloated egos and greed back into football administration is an injustice to all Kenyans, both current and future generations. Hiyo nayo hatuwezi kubali kamwe!” he said.
Mohammed spoke while in Azerbaijan for the inaugural 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival, being held at the Hovsan Competition Complex in Baku.
The facility has 10 football pitches configured to accommodate 20 simultaneous eight-a-side matches, providing a dedicated environment for youth football development.
Kenya’s U-15 boys’ team is among 189 FIFA member associations participating in the inaugural edition, which is expected to feature almost 1,000 matches.
The tournament offers young players an opportunity to gain international exposure and develop their skills, forming part of FIFA’s broader youth football development initiative.
The girls’ edition is scheduled for 2027, with both competitions expected to become annual events from 2028.
