Kenya is a beautiful country with vast savannah tropical grasslands, white sandy beaches, long sunny days, wildlife, etc. And December is the best time to experience magnificent Kenya and all it offers.

Soccer is the most loved sport, especially in the western part of Kenya, formerly known as Nyanza and Western Provinces. Local soccer tournaments are organized to scout talent for local soccer clubs or the national team.

The Cleo Malalah Cup Finals is the biggest soccer tournament in the nation, however, since there isn’t a well-structured sporting system for the cup, locals hold and coordinate most qualifiers.

Qualifiers began on December 10th around the country and are held on a single-elimination basis for two weeks. From these matches, the top 32 teams will compete in the annual Cleo Malalah Cup Finals, between Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Eve.

Don't Miss The Bullfighting!

Before the Cup Finals begin, a bullfight is held in a field outside the Mumias Sports Complex. The bulls are identified, drafted, well-fed, and isolated months before the fight. However, unlike the Spanish and Portuguese bullfighting we’re accustomed to, the Western Kenya bullfights don't have a matador, and none of the participating bulls die.

Five to six hours before the fight, the bull's feed is mixed with some Busaa (a local alcoholic drink) intending to turn up the beasts in them. The the ceremonial event opens at 4 A.M. with the sounding of a traditional horn followed by Isukutis (skin drums).

The crowds arrive by 6 A.M., and the bullfight begins. Only two "champions" are fielded, and the winner is declared after one of the bulls concedes or the owner throws in the towel. Usually, there's no price to be won other than pride and some cash to nurse the champion's wounds.

The soccer tournament follows at 10 A.M. with the round of 32 teams. The eventual winners are win an equivalent of $12,000, with second and third winning $8,000 and $5,000, respectively.

Location

The finals are hosted at the Mumias Sports Complex, 40 kilometers from the nearby Kakamega Airport. The best way to get to the stadium from the airport is by taxi since you will rarely find Uber services outside of the Nairobi metropolitan. On the bright side, you’ll easily find a lot of taxis around the airport to drive you to your destination at a negotiable fee.

If you prefer to travel by road, it is a 7-hour road trip from Nairobi to Kakamega. However, Kenyan roads are sometimes very rough and might pose a challenge to visitors. Just travel by air from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport. It’s a much safer 45-minute flight for $100 or less.

How To Get Tickets

You don't need to buy tickets to this tournament as it is free for all to enjoy. Just arrive in Kakamega sometime before the cup to acclimate yourself with the surroundings.

Places To Eat

The best meal you can enjoy here is ugali and nyama choma (roasted meat), or rice with tilapia. There's a lot of game meat too, so it's up to you to choose.

We have many food stalls that serve delicious tasting foods at fair prices. You don't have to carry your food wherever you go as you won't miss one.

How To Safely Navigate The Area

We experience a lot of rain in December, especially in the afternoons. As a result, you might find yourself occasionally struggling with bad murram roads; therefore, it's better if you opt to travel by air up to a local airport, the Kakamega Airport. Afterward, you can rent a four-wheel-drive car to the stadium.

I highly discourage you from using public transport since its routes and schedules are unregulated and may be challenging for you to understand.

Extra Tips

Kenya is a fantastic place to visit and enjoy. Listed below are some tips that will help improve your experience.

The Mumias Sports Complex, Mumias has a seating capacity of just 10,000. Apart from the VIP section, the stadium's seating arrangement is general admission. You’ll thus miss a good seat if you wait until 10a to arrive.
It would be best to eat elsewhere before visiting the stadium since food and local delicacies aren't served at the tournament.
Dress well for cool afternoon weather. You may experience heavy rains and strong winds on some afternoons and evenings; dress well.
A significant part of the stadium surroundings isn't tarmacked; ensure to wear your boots too.
The locals are amiable and speak English, Swahili, and local dialects like Luhya and Dholuo. If you can speak any of the above languages, you can blend in well.
Life in Kenya is very cheap compared to Europe or North America. If you're on a tight budget, you can opt to chill in some great hotels that charge you as low as Kenya shillings 3,000 per night. That's the equivalent of $27 for a night's sleep and includes parking costs. They may not be five-star hotels, but they are a great value-for-money option.
Carry your water as the afternoon sun can, be very scorching.
Learning a few local words never hurts. Tourism is an excellent source of foreign income here, and Kenyans love tourists. I can propose that you learn words such as sasa (hey), habari yako (how are you), asante (thanks), and kwaheri (goodbye).
Hire a car from a car rental service provider for your travels. Alternatively, you can opt for an Uber, Taxi, Bolt, or Wasili Cabs.
Go for a Safari trip to the Savannahs. A trip to Kenya isn't complete if you haven't traveled to Maasai Mara National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Turkana, The Great Rift Valley, or the Nairobi National Park.

Kenya: The Cleo Malalah Super Cup