Young People Showcase Talent in Chapa Dimba Knockouts

October 02, 2026 No comments

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Embu’s Royal Queens and Marsabit’s Dakabaricha are among eight teams to secure Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern semifinal slots.

Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni County (black) in action against Black Cats Football Academy from Embu County (blue) during the Season Five of the Safaricom Chap Dimba Eastern Region Playoffs at Nembure Grounds in Embu. |COURTESY

The eight teams booked their places in tomorrow’s semifinals after winning their respective quarterfinal knockout matches played at Kairuri, Nembure, Kamiu and Embu Showground.

The hosts, Royal Queens Academy from Embu County, and Marsabit’s Dakabaricha Secondary School are among the eight teams that have booked their places in the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regional semifinals, set for tomorrow, Saturday, at Moi Stadium in Embu.

The eight teams include Royal Queens Academy (Embu), Dakabaricha Secondary School (Marsabit), AIC Sultan Queens (Makueni), and MCF Starlets (Machakos) in the girls’ category, as well as Mbuthani Secondary School (Makueni), Golden Football Academy (Machakos), MAFA Academy (Isiolo), and SMPI Academy (Kitui) in the boys’ category.

The teams secured their semifinal berths after winning their respective quarterfinal knockout matches played at Kairuri, Nembure, Kamiu, and Embu Showground.

In the girls’ matches, Royal Queens Academy advanced after seeing off regional defending champions Syomunyu Queens from Kitui 2-0 in a tightly contested encounter at Kairuri Grounds. Dakabaricha Secondary School booked their place in the semifinals after edging Bridge Starlets from Isiolo 2-1.

AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni advanced after thrashing Mugona Girls from Tharaka Nithi 5-1, while MCF Starlets secured their spot after edging Meru’s Akuune Queens 1-0.

“It was a tough match against the regional defending champions, but we stuck to our game plan to secure the win. We made sure we got an early goal to reduce the pressure, which worked to our advantage. We are taking every game one at a time, and we hope to keep this trophy here in Embu. We are ready for tomorrow, and I call upon our fans to come out in large numbers and cheer us on,” said Muka Protus, Head Coach, Royal Queens Academy.

In the boys’ category, hosts Black Cats Football Academy narrowly fell to Makueni’s Mbuthani Secondary School 2-1, with Mbuthani booking an early semifinal slot.

Golden Football Academy slid into the semis after edging Marsabit’s Abdary FC 3-2 on penalties following a thrilling 4-4 draw in regular time. In another tightly contested encounter, MAFA Academy held their nerve from the spot, defeating Kajiunduthi High School from Tharaka Nithi 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regular time.

Meanwhile, SPMI Academy secured the final boys’ semifinal slot after beating Mikinduri Rock-Star FC 2-1.

“It has been our wish to reach this level, and beating the hosts in the knockouts, a very critical stage, is not something we take for granted. Our aim is to lift the trophy as we proceed to the semifinals set for tomorrow,” said Geoffrey Mwendwa, Head Coach, Mbuthani Secondary School.

Today’s matches were followed by players’ and coaches’ clinics at Moi Stadium, where participants were taken through financial literacy, data privacy, mental health, and AI-powered vests, among other topics.

Tomorrow’s action will see AIC Sultan Queens take on MCF Starlets in the first girls’ semifinal, before hosts Royal Queens Academy face Marsabit’s Dakabaricha Secondary School in the second girls’ encounter.

In the boys’ category, Golden Football Academy will open the semifinals against SPMI Academy before MAFA Academy faces Makueni’s Mbuthani Secondary School in what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter.

The winners of the respective semifinals will advance to Sunday’s finals, with the champions taking home Ksh. 250,000, while the runners-up will pocket Ksh. 150,000, alongside other individual prizes including smartphones.

Editor's Note: This sports piece is compiled from a press release sent to newsrooms.

SCIENCE

National Government, Development Partners to Help us Mitigate El Nino Impact-DG Kanani

Mwingi Times

October 01, 2026 No comments

By MWINGI TIMES TEAM

Increased collaboration between the national and county governments are key in helping avert anticipated El Nino consequences forecast to be associated with the October-November-December, OND, short rains. Addressing the media in a joint press conference in Kitui town with Kitui County Commissioner Erastus Mbui and other senior government officials, Deputy Governor Dr Augustine Kanani estimated that the cost of the disaster preparedness will be about KSh1.2billion.

Kitui County Governor Dr Julius Malombe addressing the press in his Kitui town office. He is flanked by County Commissioner Erastus Mbui (right), Deputy Governor Dr Augustine Kanani among other senior officials from both National and County governments who met to steategise about mitigating the expected negative effects of the El Nino rains. |MWINGI TIMES

This enormous budget requires support from the National Government and development partners hence the need for continued partnership during the El Nino rains season.

Further consultation with the National Government and the National Drought Management Authority, NDMA, informed the above change in disaster preparedness budget. "When we interrogated the matter deeply with partners such as the National Government and NDMA, we realised that considering the likely destruction, preparedness measures and the repair of damages, we would need up to KSh1.2billion", said Deputy Governor Dr Augustine Kanani.

The funding will help Kitui County Government repair damaged infrastructure and boost emergency services which need quick responses.

The two levels of government assured residents of Kitui County that measures are being put in place to protect lives, sources of livelihoods and infrastructure.

Kitui Deputy Governor Dr Augustine Kanani said the County Executive had already set aside KSh103 million to assist in reducing the negative impact of El Nino rains.

The disaster mitigation budget shortfall is expected to be financed by the National Government and development partners and other stakeholders.

Governor Malombe urged Kitui residents to focus on the good side of the expected abundant rains rather than only the negative effects. This, he said, presented an opportunity to improve food security and boost the local economy as water availability will be assured. "We therefore encourage all residents, particularly farmers and households to take advantage of the rains by investing in water harvesting and storage ", the governor said.

SPORTS

Safaricom Chapa Dimba heads to Embu for the Eastern Regional Finals

Mwingi Times

October 01, 2026 No comments

By SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Embu is set for a weekend of high-stakes football as 16 of the Eastern Region’s best youth teams converge for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regionals, with eight boys’ and eight girls’ teams battling for the regional titles and a ticket to the national finals.

Syomunyu Secondary School players celebrate after defeating Chuka University Starlets to clinch the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Season Four Eastern Regionals title at Kinoru Stadium in Meru.|SAFARICOM

The three-day tournament, running from Friday, 2nd October, to Sunday, 4th October, will bring together teams from the region’s eight counties. The quarterfinals will kick off on Friday across four venues: Nembure Grounds, Kamiu Grounds, Embu Showgrounds, and the University of Embu Grounds.

The action will then move to the semi-finals on Saturday, before the two category finals take place on Sunday at Moi Stadium, Embu, where the Eastern Region champions will be crowned.

In the girls’ category, defending regional champions Syomunyu Queens from Kitui will begin their title defence against hosts Royal Queens Academy from Embu at the University of Embu Grounds, with kick-off scheduled for 9:00 a.m.

Syomunyu Queens head coach Amos Mulwa said his side is prepared for the challenge ahead, acknowledging the increased pressure that comes with being the defending champions.

“First, I want to congratulate my girls for making it to this stage. The competition has been fierce, with every team fighting for a place in the regionals.

We are here to defend our title, and while we expect a tough challenge. We are ready for it. Every team wants to beat the defending champions, but our opponents should know that it will not be a walk in the park.

We are determined to retain our crown, and our focus is to stick to our playing system, take each match as it comes, and fight to the very end,” said Mulwa.

The other girls’ quarter-finals will see Dakabaricha from Marsabit take on Bridge Starlets from Isiolo at Embu Showgrounds, while Meru’s Akuune Queens face MCF Starlets from Machakos at Nembure Grounds.

At Kamiu Grounds, AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni will face Mugona Girls from Tharaka-Nithi.

The boys’ quarterfinals will follow at 11:00 a.m., with the region’s emerging football talent also seeking a place in the last four.

Meru’s Makinduri Rockstars will face SMPI Academy from Kitui at Embu Showgrounds, while MAFA Academy from Isiolo take on Kajiunduthi High School from Tharaka-Nithi at Kamiu Grounds.

At Nembure Grounds, hosts Black Cats Football Academy will face Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni, while Golden Football Academy from Machakos will take on Abdary FC from Marsabit at the University of Embu Grounds.

For Black Cats Football Academy head coach Sammy Githinji, playing on home ground provides added motivation as the team seeks to secure the regional title. “It is exciting to reach this stage. Safaricom Chapa Dimba is highly competitive, and every team dreams of making it to the regional finals, if not the nationals.

There is pressure that comes with playing at home, but we are prepared for the task ahead. Our goal is to compete for the regional title and ensure the trophy stays in Embu,” said Githinji.

Beyond the pitch, players and coaches will participate in development clinics later in the afternoon, covering areas including financial literacy, data privacy, mental health, and AI-powered vests.

The quarter-final winners will advance to Saturday’s semi-finals, with the successful teams progressing to Sunday’s finals at Moi Stadium.

The boys’ and girls’ regional champions will each pocket KES 250,000 and earn the opportunity to represent the Eastern Region at the Safaricom Chapa Dimba National Finals scheduled for early next year.

The runners-up in both categories will each receive KES 150,000.

Individual awards will also be contested, with the Best Goalkeeper and Top Scorer in each category each receiving KES 30,000. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will also receive KES 30,000, alongside a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under the Safaricom Citizens of the Future Programme.

The Eastern Region tournament continues to provide a competitive platform for young footballers to showcase their talent, with 382 teams registering for this season’s campaign. The registrations comprised 272 boys’ teams and 110 girls’ teams, highlighting the growing participation in grassroots football across the region.

Meru recorded the highest number of registrations with 81 teams, followed by Machakos with 79. Marsabit registered 51 teams, Isiolo 50, Kitui 47, Makueni 35, Tharaka-Nithi 21, and Embu 18.

SCIENCE

Early Onset of OND Short Rains Likely This Week

Mwingi Times

September 29, 2026 No comments

By JOHN MUSEMBI

Some parts of Kitui County could experience early onset of the October-November-December rainfall, Kenya Meteorological Services Authority said. In the weekly weather forecast report, the County Director of Meteorological Services Dr Daniel Mbithi said, "Partly cloudy conditions in the morning breaking into sunny intervals the rest of the day. However, there is a chance of moderate rains over several places during the weekend which could mark early onset of OND 2026 season in some areas of the County".

Weather forecast for Kitui County for the last week of September. |KMSA

The Met Department notes that this OND season will be associated with El Nino. As such, residents should consult the county extension officials for best farm preparation methods during the Short Rains season.

The maximum temperature readings for this week are likely to range between 24°C and 35°C while the lowest temperatures will vary from 14°C to 22°C.

Some parts of Kitui county will experience strong winds blowing over the landscape exceeding 25knots or 12.86m/s. The weatherman further explains that the winds will blow from southern side to south-easterly direction.

Tired of Timebucks Screen outs?Try Opinodo Surveys

Mwingi Times

September 29, 2026 No comments

By MUSYOKA NGUI

If you have been doing Surveys on Timebucks, chances are you came across this name: Opinodo. This is a Danish media company specialising in diverse marketing services.

Its subunits are: Zihulo, Survimo, Monipoints, Metroopinion, Digiopinion, Shoppanel and Fortunable.

All these except Digiopinion have a minimum cash out of $15. Digiopinion has the least amount among them at $10.

In total, they make $100 cash on a good day which can be any day.

They all use PayPal as their withdrawal platform where cash is sent to your phone number.

In comparison, they have less screen outs compared to Timebucks general platform. Screen outs are survey disqualifications of participants for layman language.

You will confirm your eligibility and correspondence using your email. Use Gmail account not any other since it offers better sign ins via profiles rather than remembering your passwords every time you go to the website.

If in need of monetization queries, read MWINGI TIMES every Tuesday.

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