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FKF presidential aspirant Jack Oguda, who is also the CEO of the Kenya Premier League Limited, has explained the company's plan to expland the country's scouting pool to the county level.
Kenya Premier League (KPL) Limited, the former organisers of Kenya’s top-tier football league, have unveiled ambitious plans to develop young talent across the country through a newly-proposed county-based competition.
After years of relative silence following the expiration of their contract with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in 2020, KPL is aiming for a comeback, this time with a focus on grassroots football and nurturing the next generation of football stars.
Jack Oguda, the KPL Chief Executive Officer and current candidate for the FKF presidency, recently revealed the organisation's strategic blueprint, which includes introducing a county league that would involve all 47 counties in Kenya. Speaking in an interview with Passion Sports, Oguda highlighted the importance of this initiative in providing young footballers with a platform to showcase their talents and grow within a competitive environment.
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"We have been working on a strategic plan since 2022, following discussions with KPL directors and shareholders the previous year," Oguda explained. "Our idea is to introduce a county league, fully supported by the governors, that will not only serve as a competition but as a development pipeline for young players across the country."
The county league, if approved, would be the perfect breeding ground for emerging talent, allowing players to sharpen their skills through consistent competition. According to Oguda, the league would provide a direct pathway for young athletes to climb the football ranks, eventually leading them to higher levels of the sport, including the Kenyan Premier League and potentially, international opportunities.
The competition would also tackle one of Kenya's long-standing football challenges—underutilised stadiums. With several counties investing heavily in sports infrastructure, many stadiums remain idle due to the lack of organised local football activities. Oguda’s proposal seeks to address this by encouraging counties to form their own teams, with the governors running a league specifically tailored to their regions.
"It would be a Governor’s League," Oguda said. "Stadiums are being built across the country, but they're not being used effectively. By creating teams for each county and running a structured league, governors would be contributing to a sustainable football product while maximising the use of their stadiums."
The league would not only serve as a developmental platform for players but also act as a source of pride and engagement for communities. Local supporters would rally behind their county teams, fostering a deeper connection between the public and football at the grassroots level.
Oguda and KPL have already made headway in Trans Nzoia County, where discussions have begun, and they plan to meet with the Council of Governors to formalise the proposal. "We are looking to gain more support from the counties and leverage our experience, contacts, and goodwill to attract partners who would help make the league a success," Oguda noted.
If successful, this competition could be a game changer for Kenyan football, offering a structured environment where young players can develop their abilities and aspire to professional careers. For Oguda, the long-term benefits are clear: "Adding another competition to the football scene can only help elevate the sport, especially when it comes to identifying and nurturing young talent across the nation."
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