For years, Migori Youth FC lived on the edge; the club’s journey to the top tier of Kenyan football has been a story of sheer grit, characterized by shoestring budgets and grueling road trips across the country in hired, unreliable public transport.

On Monday, July 13, 2026, the struggles of the National Super League (NSL) were washed away on the manicured lawns of State House, Nairobi.

Dressed in sharp, matching blue suits, the newly crowned 2025/26 NSL champions were received by President William Ruto, who rewarded their historic promotion to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League with a customized, 51-seater team bus and a Sh10 million cash injection to fund their upcoming top-flight campaign.

The state reception, attended by a host of political and sports leaders, highlighted a unified, bipartisan commitment to sports development in the Nyanza region.

Uriri Member of Parliament and Club Patron, Mark Nyamita, who has single-handedly kept the club afloat through turbulent financial times, thanked the Head of State for honoring his promises to the community.

“This team has been struggling on the fringes, fighting against all odds, but today marks a magnificent new dawn,” said Nyamita.

“This support will inspire thousands of young footballers across the Nyanza region. It sends a message that no matter where you come from, talent and hard work will be recognized at the highest level.”

Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko linked the team’s promotion to ongoing infrastructure developments in the county, revealing that the construction of a modern stadium in Migori is on track for completion by September 2026.

 “These young people will now have a world-class home ground to showcase their skills,” Governor Ayacko declared.

“With this stadium and the resources given today, I firmly believe they will not just participate in the Premier League to survive, they will bring the championship trophy home to Migori.”

Head of state defend construction of stadia

Addressing the delegation, President Ruto congratulated the players for their discipline and tactical brilliance. 

He used the platform to vigorously defend his administration’s aggressive spending on sports and youth empowerment, aiming his remarks at critics who have questioned budget allocations for sports facilities.

 “Many people have been asking me whether building stadiums is a priority for this country. Those people should come and ask the young people of Kenya that question. You will get the right answer directly from our young sportsmen and women,” the President asserted.

President Ruto emphasized that his administration is deliberately empowering youth to become the architects of Kenya’s future through targeted investments.

 “Our investments in sports, the creative and digital economy, overseas employment, business support, affordable housing, and infrastructure development are creating millions of jobs and other opportunities for our young people,” the President said.

He noted that these investments are already yielding returns on the international stage.

 “In sports alone, we are building and upgrading 34 stadia across the country, including the modern facility in Migori, to support talent development”. 

“These investments are already delivering results. Our athletes continue to win at the global stage while the Junior Harambee Starlets team has made history by qualifying for the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup,” Ruto added.

To cushion the club against the heavy financial demands of the top-flight league, where travel and operational costs quadruple, the President announced a direct Sh10 million grant to fund their premier league operations.

President Ruto driving the bus

The climax of the morning came when the President stepped onto the State House driveway to officially hand over the keys to the brand-new bus.

As the players erupted into celebratory song and dance, President Ruto climbed into the driver’s seat, started the ignition, and personally test-drove the team’s new luxury bus around the driveway to the delight of the chanting squad.

With solid financial backing, a state-of-the-art luxury ride, and a modern home stadium opening in a couple of months, Migori Youth FC departed the capital fully equipped to take on the giants of Kenyan football.