Drama, Dance, Music, & Sport for Kisumu Youth

The Manyatta Youth Resource Centre (MYRC), with principal funding from Equip Manyatta, is unusual in that it offers a broad array of programs.  These include arts, performance, health education, women’s empowerment, and peace building as well as football teams for boys and girls ranging from little ones under 10 years old all the way up to a young adult team that is consistently a powerhouse of talent and a source for recruitment by top pro teams in Kenya and overseas.  The recent homecoming of one of our own demonstrates the strength of the football program that has helped to change the lives of many of our young people.

It was announced in late January 2026 that former Manyatta United star Benson O has officially joined Nairobi United ("Naibois") on a two-year deal, bringing him back home from his position with Cambodian side Visakha FC.  Benson started his training with the MYRC around age 16 after playing on small neighborhood teams.  He was one of the stars in 2019 when we won the national final of the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament. In a 2020 article published by the Safaricom Newsroom site, Benson says, “Manyatta are a serious organization, with several youth teams from the Under-10, Under-12, Under-14 going up and they also focus on developing kids wholesomely. The organization is the envy of all kids growing up in the neighborhood. I was very happy to join,”

Thanks to the Chapa Dimba win, Benson got to travel to Spain with the Chapa Dimba All Stars team, which trained with professionals there and watched a match between Barcelona and Girona. “We played high profile friendly matches. That too was a big opportunity for me to improve my game,” Benson added.

After his return from Spain, he was picked up for his first professional position by powerhouse team Gor Mahia, where he was a 'Golden Boot' winner.

At Nairobi United he will reunite with his younger brother Duncan, who is also in the club.  In 2025, Nairobi United was elevated from the Kenyan National Super League to the 2025-26 Premier League, (officially known as the SportPesa League) which stands as the top league in Kenya.   

The MYRC provides opportunities and, with good fortune, many of our young people really thrive.  Currently, along with our senior team Manyatta United with 30 players, MRYC fields five younger teams that engage an additional 165 girls and boys every week.  We have 11 active Coaches and two staffers doing office work, and we recently completed a successful capacity-building review.   

In addition to our football teams, another 45 young people are regularly engaged in the Arts programs and basic computer training.  Most of these young people, as well as the football team members, regularly enjoy our Saturday lunch program.  Many also engage with our regular workshops on health, non-violence, community building and other important topics.  

As we move forward this year, we are committed to trying to improve our ability to provide a broad range of programs that will help young people with all sorts of talents and interests to make better lives for themselves and improve their communities.  Thank you for all you have done in the past to make the MYRC a thriving force for good.  With your help, we hope to have a strong 2026.