Cabinet Secretary for Internal Security, Kipchumba Murkomen, has launched the Cherangani Unity Cup Tournament to foster unity among communities living in the area.
The one-month tournament, which kicked off on Sunday, February 23, will feature 112 football and 63 volleyball teams, with the winning team walking away with KSh 1 million.
CS Kipchumba Murkomen dribbling the ball during the launch of Cherangani Unity Cup, on Sunday at Makutano Primary School. Photo: Kipchumba Murkomen X.
“We are launching the tournament today, but the official will be in April during the finals. We are supporting thus initiative because as a nation we understand that sports is a key tool to uniting our people. We understand that Cherangani is home to different communities and unity is our goal,” he stated.
Cherangani Unity Cup
According to him, the tournament is the result of peace talks among leaders, elders, and youths, facilitated through sports, to bring different communities together.
“We started talks in December with the MCAs, later on included leaders under the president on matters development of Trans Nzoia. The main aim was unity; and to ensure our youths are not left out, Cherangani Unity Cup was born,” Murkomen explained.
The tournament sponsored by Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen Foundation (OKM), is aimed at nurturing sporting talent and keeping youths from endulging with alcohol and other drugs abused.
The tournament will include all women, girls, and boys across both football and netball. The tournament attracts lucrative prizes for winners in positions four.
“The winner will walk away with KSh 1 million, while first, third and fourth runners up will walk away with KSh 500,000, KSh 300,000 and KSh 200,000 respectively,” Murkomen explained.
The competitions will kick off at ward level and progress to Constituency level, with each finalist receiving a prize at each stage and a sports jersey for the winning team at ward level.
In the company of the CS, Kericho County Governor Dr. Eric Mutai lauded Murkomen for using sports to bring the region together.
Completion of the Kenyatta National Stadium also took centre stage, with Murkomen emphasising the government’s commitment to its completion to further boost sporting talent in the county.
Murkomen warns criminal gangs
The CS further sent a stern warning to gangs terrorising residents across the county, with notorious areas including Matisi, Laini Moja, and Tumaini.
” We are working closely with the office of the County Commissioner and other security agents to ensure that thus gangs Kapenguroa six, those in Matisi are dealt with appropriately,” he warned.
Murkomen further cautioned that leaders who use youths to form goons to disrupt opponents during rallies, luring them with alcohol and handouts, will face the law.
Murkomen on Illicit brew and drugs from border points
He further noted that the county has become notorious for the availability of drugs and illegal alcohol, which he said enters the county through the porous borders at Suam, Bungoma, and West Pokot counties.
“Trans Nzoia has been noted on high use of Change, illicit brew and other substances, which is sneaked into the county through the porous borders,” he noted.
Murkomen, however, said through collaboration at the national level with the office of the Inspector General of Police and the national government, plans are underway to deploy a special security team to man the borders and deal with those sneaking drugs into the country.
The CS urged residents to apply for national identification cards, to ensure that they are registered as voters once the exercise kicks off.
“Nobody should charge you whether it is new application or replacement. The exercise is free. Let us register to make voter registration easier once the kits are distributed across the wards,” he urged.
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