Starehe Boys’ Centre and Kariobangi North Girls High School emerged as the biggest winners of the 2026 Vivo Energy Kenya Sustainability Community Football Tournament after impressive performances during the finals held at Starehe Boys’ Centre on Saturday.
The hosts, Starehe Boys, edged out Kamukunji High School 1-0 in a tightly contested boys’ final to be crowned champions, while Kariobangi North Girls delivered a ruthless attacking display to thrash Starlight Senior Academy 15-1 and secure the girls’ title.
The tournament brought together seven boys’ and girls’ teams from five schools across Nairobi and formed part of Vivo Energy Kenya’s Sustainability Week celebrations, held under the theme “Kicking Off for Sustainability.”Throughout the day, young footballers showcased remarkable talent, discipline and teamwork, with fans treated to entertaining matches that highlighted the depth of emerging football talent in Kenyan schools.
Organized by Vivo Energy Kenya in partnership with Alive and Kicking Kenya, the competition went beyond football by using sport as a vehicle to educate young people on environmental stewardship and sustainable living.
Speaking after the tournament, Vivo Energy Kenya Managing Director Peter Murungi said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive development.
“We are incredibly proud to champion and provide equal opportunities to boys and girls to discover and develop their talents. Through initiatives such as this football tournament, we are investing in young talent, promoting inclusivity, and helping build a brighter future for the next generation.”
Murungi also highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving positive social impact.
“Our partnership with Alive and Kicking reflects our belief in empowering young people through access to quality sports equipment and opportunities.”
Alive and Kicking Kenya Country Manager Rose Maket said the tournament demonstrated how sport can be used to unite communities while delivering important social and environmental messages.
“Today we are here, courtesy of Vivo Energy Kenya, to celebrate World Environment Day. Vivo Energy Kenya sponsored a tournament among boys’ and girls’ schools in the community to mark this important day. We manufacture the sports balls for the event, coordinate the tournament and bring together these children to talk about the importance of protecting the environment through sport.”
Maket explained that Alive and Kicking’s mission extends beyond producing hand-stitched sports balls.
“Sport is a powerful platform for bringing people together and encouraging behaviour change. Through sporting events and partnerships like the one we have with Vivo Energy Kenya, we engage communities on issues that affect them, including environmental conservation.”
She praised the quality of football displayed throughout the tournament and congratulated the winning teams.
“Congratulations to Starehe Boys’ Centre and Kariobangi North Girls for winning. They put up a strong fight and are very talented players. We hope they take home today’s message about taking care of the environment while continuing to grow as sportsmen and sportswomen.”
As part of the initiative, Vivo Energy Kenya donated ten footballs to each participating team to support training and talent development long after the tournament’s conclusion.
The competition featured teams from Starehe Boys’ Centre, Kariobangi High School, Kamukunji High School, Starlight Secondary School and Mogra Star Academy, creating an opportunity for young athletes to compete, learn and connect through football.
For the champions, the victories were well deserved. For the organisers, however, the tournament represented something bigger ,using the universal language of football to inspire environmental responsibility, nurture young talent and strengthen community partnerships.
By combining sport with sustainability education, Vivo Energy Kenya and Alive and Kicking delivered a memorable event that left a lasting impact both on the pitch and beyond.
