In a major boost for grassroots football, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Kisumu County launched the Seme Sub-Branch League, officially kicking off the 2025 season with great promise and determination.
Speaking during the launch on Monday at Pap Kadundo Stadium in Seme Sub-County, FKF Kisumu County Chairman Kennedy Ouma commended the leadership of Seme Sub-Branch, led by Chair Kennedy Odongo, for their outstanding efforts in developing the game at the grassroots.
“We have come here to launch the Seme Sub-Branch League that has officially kicked off today,” Ouma said. “We are very grateful for the leadership under Kennedy Odongo. They have done an exemplary job. Last season, Seme had only a few teams participating, but today they have managed to raise 12 teams — a massive improvement from last year.”
However, Ouma issued a strong warning against the infiltration of ineligible players from upper-tier leagues into sub-branch competitions, a trend he said was undermining the growth of local talent.
“One issue that is very common — and we’ve witnessed it — is players who are ineligible sneaking into the sub-branches. Players participating in county and higher leagues are watering down the quality here. This season, we will be very strict. Any player found guilty will face penalties and a season-long ban,” Ouma emphasized. “Only eligible players will be allowed to play across the league.”
He also lauded the Seme Sub-Branch for its recent referee training initiative, calling it a vital step towards strengthening football professionalism at the grassroots level.
Seme Sub-Branch Chair Kennedy Odongo, echoing Ouma’s sentiments, outlined measures put in place to ensure fair competition.
“Today, we’ve launched our sub-branch league with 12 teams, and we expect four more teams to join along the way,” Odongo said. “It has been common for players to register in two leagues — both sub-branch and county. However, we now have an updated database at both levels and capable officials ready to weed out those engaging in double registration.”
In a historic first, Seme Sub-Branch is set to launch a women’s league, promoting inclusivity and empowering women through sports.
“This is the first time we are going to have a women’s league in Seme, which will start on May 11,” announced Ruth Ochieng, Women Representative for the Seme Sub-Branch.
Youth development is also a top priority. Fidel Uhuru, Youth Representative for the FKF Kisumu Branch, shared plans for youth leagues across the sub-branches.
“Six sub-branch leagues have already started, and in the next two weeks, we will kick off youth leagues at a central venue,” Uhuru stated. “We will conduct thorough vetting to ensure only players under the required age categories — under-13, under-15, and under-17 — are allowed to participate. We do not want a scenario where overage players filter in and water down the effort of building strong teams from the grassroots.”
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Kisumu East and Muhoroni Sub-Branches, which are set to launch their leagues soon, signaling a countywide football revival.
In the opening match of the Seme Sub-Branch League, Azuri FC defeated Monge FC 5-1 in a penalty shootout after a tense 90-minute goalless draw.
With the majority of sub-branch leagues across Kisumu County already underway, the region’s grassroots football scene is poised for an action-packed and transformative season.
