The Darajani Academy
Elite Centre of Excellence for Youth Football Development, Fully Managed by Lerato Foundation
Explore Academy →
Elite Centre of Excellence for Youth Football Development, Fully Managed by Lerato Foundation
Explore Academy →
Executive Director
"At Darajani Academy, we are driven by a singular mission: to provide Kenya’s youth with an environment where world-class football training and holistic education come together seamlessly. Our commitment is to shape athletes who are not only technically gifted but also disciplined, visionary, and prepared to lead both on and off the pitch."
Founded under the guidance of the Lerato Foundation, Darajani Academy is Kenya’s premier youth football academy. Here, talent is nurtured in a fully-supported, professional environment where every athlete receives top-tier coaching, academic support, mentorship, and life skills training. We aim to create leaders of character who excel in football and in life.
We believe football is more than a game—it is a tool to teach discipline, resilience, teamwork, and leadership. Through rigorous training programs and structured education, our players develop the confidence, integrity, and determination needed to succeed in any endeavor.
Each year, our nationwide scouting program identifies exceptional young talent from across Kenya, ensuring that no gifted player is overlooked. Once selected, athletes benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, world-class coaching, and personalized development plans designed to unlock their full potential.
Darajani Academy has proudly partnered with over 55 international football academies worldwide. These partnerships offer our players exposure to global training standards, international competitions, and pathways to professional opportunities abroad. Many of our athletes have gone on to train, compete, and shine on international stages, transforming their lives and inspiring others.
Our vision is bold yet simple: to empower every young person who walks through our doors to reach their highest potential. At Darajani Academy, potential meets purpose, discipline shapes excellence, and dreams are turned into reality.
Simon Kyenze
Executive Director
The Darajani Academy is a high-performance youth football institution dedicated to holistic player development. Founded in 2020 in Makindu, Makueni County, and relocated to Nairobi in 2022, the Academy bridges raw talent with professional development. It integrates elite training, education, mentorship, and life skills within FIFA and FKF compliance standards.
To be Africa’s leading football academy, globally recognized for producing disciplined, educated, and high-performing players.
Identify, nurture, and develop young talent through elite training, education scholarships, mentorship, and strong governance, creating clear pathways to professional football and life success.
A structured national football development system connecting regions across Kenya under one elite academy philosophy focused on discipline, talent development, and international pathways.
Head Coach
"Shaping champions with discipline, skill, and heart."
Admin Assistant
"Keeping the Academy running seamlessly behind every success."
Procurement Coordinator
"Ensuring top-quality resources for excellence on and off the field."
Physician Head
"Protecting players’ health so they perform at their very best."
Head Coach Natalia Onyango: "As we officially open the 2026 season at The Darajani Academy, we are proud to welcome a new generation of talent into our institution. Following an intensive and highly competitive scouting period from November 2025 through January 2026, we have successfully identified 30 exceptional young players set to join us in April, alongside an additional 15 players in May. Each of these athletes, aged between 17 and 19, embodies the discipline, ambition, and potential that define our Academy."
"We extend our sincere appreciation to our founding partners, the Lerato Foundation, whose unwavering support has been instrumental throughout this recruitment process. Their commitment continues to empower our vision of building a structured, professional, and transformative environment for young athletes."
"This year, we are immensely proud of our growing national footprint, marked by the successful establishment of six Darajani branches across the country. Each branch represents our commitment to grassroots development, talent identification, and community impact."
"In the Western Region, we have Tuzidi Darajani Academy based in Sirisia, Busia County, nurturing young talent and expanding opportunities in Western Kenya."
"Within the Rift Valley Region, we continue to strengthen our presence through three key branches: Darajani Mafia Academy in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County; Darajani United Sports Academy in Nakuru City, Nakuru County; and Darajani Best Academy in Weiwei, West Pokot County. These centres are instrumental in building competitive and disciplined players within the region."
"At the Coast Region, our vision is carried forward by Darajani Amani Academy located in Likoni, Mombasa County, where we continue to inspire and develop talent along the Coastal belt."
"In the Eastern Region, we are proud to have Darajani Football Academy in Emali, Makueni County, serving as a key hub for nurturing upcoming players in Eastern Kenya."
"As part of our continued expansion strategy, we are planning to establish a Darajani branch in Nairobi before August this year, further strengthening our presence in the capital and expanding opportunities for young talent."
"This season presents a defining opportunity for our players, as they prepare to compete in three international tournaments. These platforms will not only test their technical ability, but also their character, resilience, and commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch."
"We are equally grateful to God for guiding us into a new chapter as we transition to our state-of-the-art Academy campus in Kajiado County, strategically located just 40 minutes from Nairobi. This move marks a significant milestone, granting us access to enhanced training facilities and enabling us to cultivate a truly world-class football environment."
"As we look ahead, our 2026 roadmap goes beyond recruitment, expansion, and competition. Our focus remains firmly on holistic player development—integrating mentorship, education, leadership, and character formation. Our mission is clear: to develop not only elite footballers, but disciplined, responsible, and impactful leaders in society."
"Together, as one Academy, one vision, and one community, we are determined to make 2026 a defining and historic year for The Darajani Academy."
Additional 15 young talents join, aged 17–19, strengthening our squad depth.
Transition to the new Academy campus in Kajiado, 40 minutes from Nairobi.
Participation in 3 international tournaments, enhancing exposure and performance.
Ongoing mentorship, academic support, leadership development, and individualized training.
Registered Players
Players aged 19–22
Players under 18
National Scouting Regions
Technical skill development, tactical intelligence, physical conditioning, mental resilience, and position-specific training aligned with international football standards.
Full scholarship support ensuring academic continuity, life skills, and career preparedness beyond football. Every player becomes a student-athlete with holistic growth.
Structured residential lifestyle, balanced nutrition, training facilities, mentorship, pastoral care, and leadership development create disciplined and responsible athletes.
Full compliance with FIFA & FKF regulations, safeguarding policies, ethical recruitment, and transparent management frameworks ensure institutional credibility and long-term sustainability.
Structured, merit-based national scouting, technical and character evaluation, parental engagement, and club consultation. Admission requires talent, discipline, and educational commitment.
Supported by Lerato Foundation, Eye of Hope, European Union, Agape in Action, and SABYA Group. Partnerships deliver high-quality training, scholarships, accommodation, and holistic development programs.
Darajani Academy established in Makindu, Makueni County, focused on structured youth football development.
Relocated to Nairobi to access superior facilities, exposure, and a competitive football ecosystem.
Expanded scouting network to cover 5 regions, admitted 143+ players, and launched full scholarship and education pathways.
Full FIFA & FKF compliance achieved, strategic partnerships strengthened, and Academy recognized as a benchmark for youth football development.
The Darajani Academy stands as a model for excellence in youth football development, combining elite training, education, governance, and welfare. Under Lerato Foundation’s leadership, we transform talent into opportunity, preparing Africa’s next generation of football leaders.