Kibera Soccer Women FC is proving the resilience and talent of informal settlement youth
NAIROBI, KENYA – With playoffs beginning this weekend, a professional women’s soccer team from Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum on the outskirts of Nairobi, is well-positioned to win the 2025 Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) Women’s Cup. Supported by CFK Africa, a non-governmental organization that empowers youth in informal settlements, the team’s success is a story of resilience, commitment to the sport, and the power of investing in women’s participation in football.
For 24 years, CFK Africa has pioneered soccer initiatives to address ethnic conflict, promote community development, and serve as a gateway to connect youth with health services. Recognizing that girls and women face unique challenges in informal settlements, the organization established Kibera’s first all-girls soccer league in 2002 to empower girls and young women. CFK Africa also trained the first female soccer referee in Kibera.
Many players who grew up with CFK Africa’s soccer programs now play for the Kibera Soccer Women FC team, which ascended to the FKF Women Premier League in 2023 and made an impressive debut, finishing in second place in the finals during their first year in the league.
“We can’t think of a better demonstration of our saying that talent is universal but opportunity is not,” said Jeffrey Okoro, executive director of CFK Africa. “These women are proving the talent and resilience of youth in slums to the world, and we look forward to celebrating their win.”
Despite the challenges faced by female athletes in slums, such as inadequate equipment and social stigma, the 2024/2025 season has been the team’s best yet. In October 2024, three of the Women’s FC players received a call-up to play for Kenya’s National Team, traveling to Turkey for a series of matches. In February, four players received national call-ups ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 qualifying games, representing Kenyan football on a global scale.
In addition to excellence on the field, team members serve as CFK Africa social change champions, collaborating on community mentorship for its Girls Empowerment Program and leading Safe Spaces sessions to ensure girls in slums have a supportive environment.
CFK Africa also supports a men’s team, Kibera Soccer FC, which is expected to reach the quarterfinals of the Division One league, where it currently holds third place. The teams are backed by lead sponsor Cloudflare and supporting sponsor Brown Advisory.
“It’s not just about winning; these teams proudly display the remarkable capabilities of women in Kibera, moving and inspiring the world,” added Okoro. “They are challenging global perceptions of women and shattering stereotypes, and the world is watching.”
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About CFK Africa
Founded in 2001, CFK Africa works to empower youth by improving public health and economic prosperity in informal settlements in Kenya through integrated health and youth leadership initiatives. Using a participatory development approach, the organization works directly with community residents to develop and implement sustainable programs. After marking 20 years of service in Kibera in 2021, CFK began expanding to 25 informal settlements across eight counties in Kenya, including Kajiado, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kisumu, Machakos, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Nakuru. For more information, visit www.cfkafrica.org.