By BOB AMALEMBA
June 1, 2026|For four days, the sprawling grounds of Butere Girls High School transformed into more than just a football arena.
It became a meeting point of dreams, mentorship, talent scouting and a glimpse into the future of women’s football in Kenya.
The climax came in a fiercely contested exhibition match on Saturday that pitted the famous Red Commandos against FKF Women’s Premier League side Ulinzi Starlets.
After a pulsating 2-2 draw, the schoolgirls stunned their more experienced opponents 4-2 in a penalty shootout, with Grade 10 sensation Naomi Nabwire emerging the heroine after saving two penalties.But beyond the result, the visit by the military-backed side carried a deeper message.
Led by patron Lieutenant Colonel Ochieng, the Starlets used the tour to scout talent, inspire young players and strengthen ties with schools across the country.
“We are building relationships and tapping talent from the grassroots,” said the officer, noting that the team had already visited schools including Kobala, Archbishop Njenga, Wiyeta and Nyakach.
The officer said the club’s mission goes beyond identifying gifted footballers.
“Whenever we see a player performing well, we think about her life after football. We want to encourage them and give them hope,” he said.
The ongoing school tours have also become part of Ulinzi Starlets’ recruitment strategy as they seek to strengthen their squad for future campaigns.
“We are scouting for the coming season in the hope of topping the league. Our plans are to build a team that meets all the requirements of a top-ranked side,” he added.The visit reflected the growing stature of women’s football in Kenya, with Ulinzi Starlets emerging as one of the country’s most consistent clubs.
The soldiers finished second in the 2024/25 FKF Women’s Premier League standings and currently sit second in the 2025/26 league race, continuing their push for a maiden league title.
They also boast an impressive cup pedigree, having won the FKF Women’s Cup three times and the Kenya Women’s Super Cup twice.At Butere, the visitors did not come empty-handed.
Lieutenant Colonel Ochieng presented the school with a commemorative shield, two internationally approved tubeless footballs, corn makers and a custom-made red top for Chief Principal Linda Zalo — a symbolic gift for the patron of the Red Commandos.
Receiving the donations, Zalo said the mentorship programme would go a long way in nurturing talent in a region renowned for producing outstanding sports personalities.
She challenged her players to aim even higher and finally conquer East Africa.“We want to carry the FEASSA trophy that has eluded us despite qualifying several times,” she said.
Butere Girls’ rise has been remarkable. The Red Commandos first broke onto the national scene in 2008 and advanced to East African competition in 2009.
They have since won three Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association national titles — in 2014, 2023 and 2024 — cementing their place among the country’s football powerhouses.
Yet the East African Schools championship remains the missing jewel in their glittering crown. Despite several appearances at the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) games, the coveted regional title has continued to slip through their fingers.
The four-day mentorship programme, organised by the school’s alumni association, therefore carried a significance that stretched far beyond football. It connected aspiring players to role models already thriving in the sport while reminding them that every major football journey begins on a school field.
And judging by the saves from Naomi Nabwire and the confidence displayed by the Red Commandos against one of Kenya’s elite women’s clubs, the future may already be standing between the posts.