Kitui County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Culture, Gender, Youth, ICT, Sports and Social Services, Phoebe Mutemi, has announced the dates for the grand finale of the inaugural Kitui Governor’s Cup Football Tournament.

The much-anticipated climax of the tournament will be held over three days from August 21 to 23, 2026, at Ithookwe Stadium, bringing together the top teams that have progressed through the various stages of the competition.

Speaking to the media ahead of the finale, waziri Phoebe Mutemi said the final round will feature 16 teams drawn from all 8 sub-counties of Kitui, with each sub-county represented by a men’s team and a ladies’ team.

The Governor’s Cup kicked off late last year at the village level, attracting a total of 684 teams from across the county. The tournament then progressed to the ward level in February, followed by the sub-county stage in March before the teams advanced to the semi-final and final stages.

According to waziri Phoebe Mutemi, the three-day grand finale will provide an opportunity for the people of Kitui to witness the best footballing talent that has emerged from the grassroots competition.

READ ALSO: Kitui Green Run Half-Marathon Gains Momentum With Ksh. 2.5 Million Up for Grabs

She further announced that the crucial matches will be officiated by professional referees accredited by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to ensure fairness, professionalism and adherence to the rules of the game.

Waziri Mutemi said the Governor’s Cup is part of the county government’s efforts to engage youth through sports, identify, nurture and develop sporting talent among young people in Kitui.

She noted that the tournament has provided a platform for talented players from the grassroots to showcase their abilities while promoting sporting activities across the county.

Beyond sports, Mutemi said the grand finale is also expected to create economic opportunities for local businesses, with thousands of football fans and residents expected to attend the three-day event.

She encouraged traders and other business people in Kitui to take advantage of the large crowds expected at Ithookwe Stadium to market and sell their products and services.

The inaugural Governor Malombe’s Cup comes with cash prizes for the winning teams and individual players who excel throughout the tournament.

YOU MISSED: Governor Malombe Launches Infrastructure Projects Dashboard to Boost Transparency and Accountability in Kitui

The men’s champions will receive Ksh. 500,000, while the ladies’ winners will pocket Ksh. 300,000. Outstanding individual players will also be recognised through various awards.

The grand finale is expected to mark the culmination of one of Kitui County’s biggest grassroots football tournaments, while setting the stage for continued investment in sports and talent development across the county.

Ends///