For the past 4 years, Mr. Sammy Mutea, a proud son of Kasunguni area in Zombe/Mwitika Ward, Kitui East Constituency, has been organizing an annual football tournament that has steadily grown into a unifying community event.

Sammy Mutea, a well-known philanthropist and passionate advocate for community empowerment and development, has consistently invested his time and resources in initiatives aimed at uplifting the youth of Zombe/Mwitika Ward and the wider Kitui East constituency.

Speaking exclusively to Ukambani News Hub reporter, Sammy Mutea shared the motivation behind the establishment of the Sam’s Football Cup Tournament, which was officially launched in 2021 and brings together teams from across Zombe/Mwitika Ward. He revealed that the idea was largely inspired by long-standing divisions and rivalry among youths from different parts of the ward, particularly between those from the southern cross around Kasunguni and those from the northern cross areas such as Ngungi. “One of the key reasons I started Sam’s Tournament was the persistent rivalry among our youths, especially between Kasunguni and Ngungi areas. I wanted to create something that would bring them together, end the enmity, and engage young people who were increasingly falling into substance abuse, especially alcohol,” he explained.

Beyond fostering unity, Sammy Mutea envisioned the tournament as a tool to address the growing challenge of drug and alcohol abuse among the youth, which had become a major concern in the area. Through sports, he hoped to provide a positive alternative that would promote discipline, teamwork, and healthy competition. Reflecting on the progress made, Mutea noted that the early editions faced significant discipline challenges. “When we started this tournament, especially in the 1st edition, we experienced many cases of indiscipline. However, in the just concluded 4th edition, we did not record a single case of indiscipline throughout the competition. This is a clear indication that discipline among the youths has greatly improved, and I am highly impressed,” he said.

The Sam’s Football Tournament recently entered its 4th edition, held on November 28th–29th, 2025, featuring exciting and competitive matches. Staying true to the tournament’s tradition, all participating teams were rewarded with thousands of shillings, full branded jerseys, playing balls, and other incentives ensuring that every team felt appreciated and motivated. This year’s champions, Ndakani FC, walked away with a Ksh. 50,000 cash prize, a trophy, full branded jersey, and a playing ball.

Mr. Sammy Mutea reiterated his commitment to youth empowerment in Zombe/Mwitika Ward, noting that the annual tournament seeks to unite young people, nurture football talent, promote discipline, keep youths away from drugs, and ultimately contribute to community development. “December holidays are usually long, and idle time can easily lead young people into trouble. That’s why I organize such events to keep our youths engaged, united, and focused on positive activities,” he said.

Looking ahead, Sammy Mutea expressed his broader vision of seeing a well-developed Zombe/Mwitika Ward and a transformed Kitui East Constituency. His ambition, he noted, is to see Kitui East ranked among the most developed constituencies not only in Kitui County but across Kenya.

READ ALSO: How the Grand Sammy Mutea Football Tournament 4th Edition Unfolded in Zombe/Mwitika Ward

He also called on other like-minded individuals and leaders to initiate similar programs aimed at empowering the youth and strengthening community bonds, saying collective effort is key to sustainable development. “I would really love to see more Sammy Muteas’ from our area coming up with such initiatives. Together, we can build, empower, and uplift our people,” he concluded.

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