Over 2,000 Turn Up for Waridi Tournament as Lamu Talent Takes Centre Stage

Waridi Tournament organizer Jenniffer Wairimu joins young players on the pitch during the grassroots women’s football tournament in Lamu, as teams line up ahead of the action.

By: Gladys Karuga

More than 2,000 fans gathered in Lamu for the Waridi Women Tournament, as grassroots sporting talent from across the region took centre stage in a major competition bringing together women and young people.

The tournament, organized by Lamu Woman Representative aspirant Jenniffer Wairimu, President of the Kenya Youth Organization and founder of the Waridi Foundation, attracted 18 teams that competed in football, volleyball, netball, handball and basketball.

In women’s football, Lake Amu claimed the championship, with Sinambio finishing second, followed by Uzida and Shekale.

Tigres emerged winners in women’s volleyball, ahead of Umoja and Kihongwe. Mpeketoni Ladies took the netball title, while Mpeketoni Pride and Minivalley Ladies finished second and third.

Vikings won the handball competition, followed by Umoja.

In girls’ basketball, Mpekx Angels emerged champions, with Sniper Tiger finishing second. Mpex Heats secured the boys’ basketball title, ahead of Seahawks.

But the tournament was about more than competition and trophies. It provided young athletes with an opportunity to display their skills, interact with teams from different parts of Lamu and gain exposure.

Wairimu used the tournament to outline her plans to make sports a source of opportunity and income for talented young people in Lamu.

She said that if elected Woman Representative in 2027, she would establish a dedicated sports fund and support teams with transport, including buses and minibuses, to enable them to attend competitions, national trials and scouting opportunities.

She also pledged to support regular tournaments, strengthen clubs financially and establish continuous talent scouting to identify promising athletes and link them with opportunities outside the county.

“Today I can give KSh 5,000 because I am not in power. When elected, we shall give more and do more. We shall have a sports fund, transport for our teams, regular tournaments, stronger clubs and scouting of our best players. I want talent in Lamu to become a livelihood. Talanta ni hela,” she said.

Wairimu noted that many talented young people miss important opportunities because they lack transport, resources and exposure, saying such challenges should not stand between athletes and their dreams.

The tournament is Wairimu’s first women’s tournament, but it adds to her involvement in grassroots sports through the Waridi Foundation, which has supported initiatives such as the annual Lamu 7s and talent-focused programmes.

The competition also brought together communities from different parts of Lamu, with sport serving as a platform for promoting peace, unity and social cohesion.

The event further encouraged participants and residents to register as voters and take an active role in determining the future of their communities.

With thousands turning up to watch local athletes compete, the tournament highlighted both the depth of sporting talent in Lamu and the strong public interest in grassroots sports.

For Wairimu, the next step is to turn that talent into real and sustainable opportunities.

Her vision is to see young people move from grassroots fields to national trials, professional clubs and eventually careers through sport.

Talanta ni hela.