The Lamu Beach Rugby Tournament made its debut with five teams participating, including Malindi Turtles Rugby Club, Safaricom Hook, Lamu Rugby Club, NYS Witu Rugby Club, and Witu Rugby Club. The inaugural event took place over four days, from Friday to Monday, and featured a series of engaging activities aimed at promoting sports tourism, nurturing talent, and fostering community cohesion in Lamu County.
The tournament, organized by Jennifer Wairimu, Executive Director of the Waridi Foundation, marked the 1st edition of the Lamu Beach Rugby Tournament and the 4th rugby event held in Lamu County, though previous editions were hosted on the mainland.
“The aim of this tournament is to promote sport tourism, nurture talent, counter violent extremism, and enhance mental health among young men in Lamu County,” said Jennifer Wairimu. “Sports have the unique ability to bring people together and pass messages of peace and cohesion effectively.”
The event attracted over 500 attendees and successfully brought together youth from diverse backgrounds to engage in a positive, unifying activity.
Jennifer Wairimu emphasized her passion for rugby and its ability to instill discipline and teamwork:
“I love supporting rugby as a game. The Lamu Rugby Tournament is a Waridi Foundation initiative that started in 2017 with just four teams. Rugby is a sport of strength, wit, and discipline. Players don’t fight or retaliate when they lose; instead, they focus on winning the game with skill and teamwork. It’s an inspiring game that promotes resilience and discipline.”
Hon. Musembi Joshua, one of the event’s supporters, echoed this sentiment:
“We shall continue supporting this great game because it showcases mental strength and brings young people together. Events like these even enhance cultural celebrations such as the Lamu Cultural Festival.”
The tournament was made possible through partnerships with Simply Feminine, FINSCO Africa, Musembi Foundation, 2 Degrees South, and other well-wishers. In addition to the rugby matches, the event included community-focused activities such as:
Tree Planting: Rugby players and attendees participated in an environmental conservation effort, learning about carbon credits and sustainability.
Donate Pada Initiative: This activity focused on educating participants about menstrual health and hygiene, particularly for young women in the community.
The Lamu Beach Rugby Tournament successfully combined sports, environmental awareness, and social empowerment, setting the stage for future editions. As a pioneering event in the region, it has not only promoted rugby as a sport but also strengthened community bonds and provided a platform to address key social issues.
