Nairobi, Kenya — May 2026
The Lerato Foundation has officially announced the highly anticipated launch of Darajani Sports Academy, a groundbreaking initiative expected to redefine youth development through sports, education, leadership, and social transformation in Kenya.
Scheduled for June 2026, the launch marks a historic milestone for the foundation as it expands its impact beyond scholarships, mentorship, and community feeding programs into sports development — creating what leaders describe as “a new model of hope for vulnerable and talented young people.”
Darajani Sports Academy was born from an ambitious vision by Simon Peter Kyenze, who identified the growing challenges faced by talented young people in underserved communities — including unemployment, drug abuse, school dropouts, mental health struggles, and limited access to professional sports opportunities.
What began as a simple dream has now evolved into one of the most promising grassroots sports projects in Kenya.
According to the foundation, the academy has already attracted over 40 talented players from across Kenya, with many receiving structured mentorship, nutritional support, and athletic development opportunities ahead of the official unveiling.
The academy operates under the wider vision of Lerato Foundation, an organization widely recognized for its scholarship coordination programs, youth empowerment initiatives, and community outreach efforts.
In a major boost to the launch, representatives from M-PESA Foundation Academy are expected to grace the event, signaling growing confidence from national institutions in the academy’s long-term vision of combining sports with education.
The event will also be presided over by the Board of Directors of Lerato Foundation under the leadership of Board President Martha Sales, who has been instrumental in strengthening governance structures and supporting the foundation’s expansion into new development initiatives.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Simon Peter Kyenze described the project as more than just a football academy.
The academy has already received international goodwill support from youth-focused partners including faith-based development partners who continue to invest in long-term transformation projects across Kenya.
Unlike traditional academies that focus solely on athletic performance, Darajani Sports Academy will integrate:
Community leaders have described the project as one of the most innovative youth-led initiatives currently emerging in Kenya’s grassroots development space.
The June launch is expected to bring together government stakeholders, education leaders, sports partners, community members, sponsors, faith leaders, and young athletes from different parts of the country.
For many families in underserved communities, Darajani Sports Academy represents something far greater than football.
It represents opportunity.
It represents hope.
And for Lerato Foundation, it may become the flagship project that changes thousands of lives for generations to come.