A new bill proposing the creation of a County Sports Associations Fund by amending the Sports Act 2013 was read for the first time in the Kenyan Senate today.

Senator Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi is spearheading the bill, which aims to address the financial challenges faced by County Sports Associations.

“The proposed County Sports Associations Fund is crucial for promoting sports development and enhancing community well-being within the counties,” the bill states.

The bill outlines that the fund will primarily support and nurture county sports associations, focusing on grassroots sports development. It also seeks to establish an administrative framework for managing the fund.

Additionally, the fund will facilitate the acquisition and provision of equipment for sports facilities, support talent identification and development, provide training and capacity-building programs for sports personnel, and finance the development of sports facilities, including stadiums, gymnasiums, buildings, and tracks.

The fund will be sourced from one percent of all monies paid into the county revenue fund, as well as loans, grants, and donations from the national government or international agencies aimed at supporting county sports associations.

The fund will be managed by the county’s accounting officer for sports or another designated person. If the bill passes, the county executive committee member will set further conditions for the release of funds to ensure efficient and effective resource management.

County Sports Associations have long faced funding issues that have hindered their operations. Football associations, in particular, have had disputes with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), which does not recognize them as members.