National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. Moses Wetang’ula has called on Parliament to revisit the Sports Act and reform the management of the Sports Fund. His aim is to ensure that direct financial support reaches local sports clubs across Kenya.
Hon. Wetang’ula honored the top performing players of AFC Leopards Football Club, which was hosted by Wanangali Sports Club in Mianga, Bungoma County. He emphasized the urgent need to redirect a portion of the billions allocated annually to the Sports Fund toward supporting community-based clubs and teams in the FKF Premier League. He noted that while national teams and infrastructure projects are essential, local clubs are chronically underfunded and struggle with operational sustainability. Direct investment in these clubs would strengthen the sports ecosystem and unlock Kenya’s untapped athletic potential.
“Kenya has immense talent, but without adequate support at the club level, this potential remains untapped. If we empower clubs financially, we can enhance the entire sports ecosystem from community tournaments to professional leagues and national teams. We need to re-evaluate the Sports Act and the operations of the Sports Fund,” Wetang’ula stated. “A reasonable portion of the funds allocated by Parliament should directly support clubs helping them manage day-to-day operations, pay players, acquire facilities, train athletes, and nurture grassroots talent,” He added.
Wetang’ula challenged Members of Parliament, particularly those in the Departmental Committee on Sports and Arts, to advocate for amendments that promote equitable distribution of the Sports Fund. Current regulations do not clearly mandate direct funding for clubs, leaving many grassroots and professional teams without meaningful support. He also called for open dialogue between Parliament, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, and the Sports Fund management to create more inclusive and transparent funding frameworks.
Sports leaders in attendance, including AFC Leopards President Boniface Ambani, welcomed the Speaker’s proposal. They cited rising operational costs, limited county level support, and low sponsorship opportunities as major barriers to club sustainability. Established under the Sports Act of 2013, the Sports Fund collects revenue from lottery and betting taxes to finance sports development.
However, a disproportionate share of these funds has historically gone to national team preparations, stadium renovations, and administrative overhead. Ambani reiterated that while these investments are important, a balanced funding model that includes clubs is crucial for building a strong foundation for national sports excellence and broader youth empowerment.
