Since taking office in 2022, the Kenya Kwanza regime has placed sports and youth affairs among its key agenda items, including the development and export of local talent. One of the hallmark programs under this agenda was the Talanta Hela initiative, launched under former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
Talanta Hela was envisioned as a revolutionary platform to identify, nurture, and monetise youth talent in a deliberate and structured manner.
The initiative has since borne impressive results, with several young Kenyan footballers — including Aldrine Kibet, Amos Wanjala, Emmanuel Osoro, Alvin Kasavuli, and Luis Ingavi — securing international club deals and stepping into the global football arena.
Most of these young stars were part of the Talanta Hela Under 19 boys’ and girls’ teams, which travelled to Spain in 2024. There, they began training sessions at Nastic Soccer Academy in Tarragona ahead of the Costa Daurad Cup tournament kick-off — an experience that exposed them to professional scouting and high-level youth football.
Aldrine Kibet – RC Celta Vigo (Spain)
Speculation surrounding the future of Kenyan Under 20 star Aldrine Kibet was finally put to rest after Spanish top-flight club RC Celta Vigo officially confirmed his signing on a four-year contract valid until 2029.
The announcement, made on the club’s official channels back in July, put an end to anticipation over the talented midfielder’s next move.
“Celta signs Aldrine Kibet, an 18-year-old attacking winger, who joins until 2029. The player arrives free and will have a Celta Youth player card, although he will initially join Celta Fortuna. Welcome, Aldrine!”
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According to the club, Kibet joined Celta Fortuna, the B team, and was registered as a youth player with an eye on gradual integration into the senior setup.
The statement praised his speed, ball skills, and scoring instinct, attributes that caught international attention during the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he impressed with Kenya.
Kibet’s football journey began at St. Anthony’s Boys High School in Kitale, where he captained the team to a national championship title at the 2023 KSSSA games. He was named MVP and top scorer, with a staggering 25 goals and 27 assists, a standout performance that marked him as one of Kenya’s brightest prospects.
After the tournament, and under the Talanta Hela initiative, Kibet earned a move to Nastic Sports Academy in Spain, which laid the foundation for this major career leap.
In response to Kibet’s landmark move to Celta Vigo, former Sports CS Ababu Namwamba stated:
“For those who wondered, questioned #TalantaHela these are the fruits of the revolutionary vision of IDENTIFY. NURTURE. MONETISE in a deliberate, intentional & structured way. From School ball games. To Kenya Academy of Sports to Nastic Soccer Academy. To the paid ranks of elite football.”
Amos Wanjala – UD Almería (Spain, pending January 2026 move)
On his part, rising Kenyan football talent Amos Wanjala is poised to make a major leap in his professional career to Spanish Segunda División side Unión Deportiva Almería during the January 2026 transfer window.
This exciting development was confirmed by Kenyan football agent David Kenga, currently based in the United States and operating as a scout and agent for Nastic Sports Academy in Barcelona, Spain.
Wanjala, who currently captains Kenya’s Under 20 national team, began his European journey at Nastic Academy. After just six months, his potential was evident, earning him a professional contract with Athletic Club Torrellano CF.
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He then trained extensively with top-tier side Elche CF, but contractual disagreements prevented the deal from materialising.
“Amos trained with Elche for a month, but we couldn’t finalise the contract terms,” Kenga revealed.
“Now, UD Almería have shown strong interest. They were ready to complete the deal just before the last transfer window closed, but a delay in processing his work permit in Spain halted the move. We’re now reapplying and confident he’ll join them in January 2026.”
Namwamba, who played a key role in facilitating both Wanjala and Kibet’s initial moves to Spain by funding flights and logistics, had earlier announced Wanjala’s expected move to Elche CF in August 2025.
While that opportunity fell through, Wanjala remains focused and determined, training and preparing for his next big step with UD Almería.
Emmanuel Osoro – Power Dynamos (Zambia)
Emmanuel Osoro, aged 19, also signed a professional contract with Zambian football giants Power Dynamos, continuing the impressive transition of the first cohort of Talanta Hela talents to the elite paid ranks.
Alvin Kasavuli – Nastic Academy (Spain)
Alvin Kasavuli remains at Nastic Academy in Spain, continuing to develop under the program that has become a springboard for several Kenyan stars.
Luis Ingavi – Michigan (USA)
Luis Ingavi graduated from Montverde Academy in Orlando, USA, on May 17 and has since joined a semi-professional team in Michigan ahead of his university enrollment in August.
Other young Kenyan players who have secured club opportunities abroad, with the Talanta Hela initiative playing a significant role in nurturing and exposing their talents include Ismael Alal Odhiambo and Ezekiel Nguwa who trained in Spain with the Nastic Sports Academy and represented Kenya internationally with the Talanta Hela U19 team.
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