David Mulo’s passion for football ignited at a very young age, with the sport becoming a significant part of his life from as far back as he can remember. However, it was during his selection to participate in the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) camp in Doha in 2013 that his perspective on football shifted. At the camp, David encountered young leaders from around the globe who shared inspiring stories about using sport to address critical challenges in their communities. Witnessing their creativity and determination sparked a realization for David: football had the power to be more than a game—it could be a catalyst for meaningful societal impact.
This pivotal experience set David on a journey to explore the intersection of sport and social change. The stories he heard at the camp served as a profound source of inspiration, leading him to dedicate his career to leveraging football as a tool for fostering inclusion, education, and empowerment on a global scale. His organization Green Kenya is using football to combat societies biggest threat today- Climate Change.
Bonito: David, its so great to connect- thanks so much for joining us on the Bonito platform.
David: So great to meet again after so many years, happy to join the Bonito community!
Bonito: How did your passion for football begin, and what inspired you to explore its potential for driving positive change in society?
David: My passion for football began at a very young age—I mean I gave been playing the game for as long as I can remember so Im not even sure where it began. The turning point that captivated me to explore how football could drive positive change in society came when I was selected to participate in the UNOSDP (United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace) camp in Doha, Qatar in 2013. At the camp, I met young people from different continents who shared incredible stories about how they were using sport to tackle significant challenges in their communities. Their creativity and determination inspired me deeply, and from that moment, I was hooked on the idea of using football as a tool for social impact.
Bonito: Why do you think football evokes such powerful sentiments with such a broad range of people all over the world?
David: Well, from my experience, football has a unique way of creating instant connections and friendships the moment you step onto the field. The game transcends barriers—be it language, culture, or beliefs—and fosters a sense of unity. If you truly love what you do, football becomes a platform to bring people together, even those who might see the world differently from you, or even your adversaries. Its simplicity, accessibility, and universal appeal allow anyone, regardless of background, to join in and find common ground. This shared passion creates powerful sentiments and binds people across the globe in ways few other activities can achieve.
Bonito: Tell us about Green-Kenya! what is the story of its development and what projects do you currently run?
David: Green-Kenya began with a vision to inspire communities by harnessing the power of sports. Since its inception, Green-Kenya has focused on addressing social and environmental challenges while fostering leadership and inclusion, especially among the youth and women. Initially, the organization started small, conducting grassroots sports activities to bring young people together. Over time, it evolved by integrating structured educational components into its programs, focusing on life skills, environmental stewardship, and social equity. This gradual growth, supported by partnerships and community trust, has shaped Green-Kenya. Our mission is simple:—“Giving our children a green future through sports.”
Bonito: That’s awesome David, perhaps you could give us a quick run-down of your various projects at Green-Kenya?
David: Absolutely, here it goes:
- Women Up Program: This initiative focuses on eradicating gender inequalities through sports. By providing a platform for women and girls to participate, learn, and lead, the program builds their confidence, leadership skills, and access to opportunities.
- Football Academy: Green-Kenya’s Football Academy nurtures talent while promoting holistic growth. Besides technical skills, participants engage in learning sessions about teamwork, discipline, and environmental conservation.
- Environmental Education through Sports: This project integrates environmental conservation topics into sports activities, fostering awareness and action among young people for a greener future.
- Social impact program: Self-Directed Learning Initiatives- Emphasizing personal responsibility, Green-Kenya encourages participants to take ownership of their growth by integrating self-directed learning into all programs.
- Environmental literacy: We teach young people to be environmental stewards in their context. Environmental Education is a holistic, lifelong learning process directed at creating responsible citizens who explore and identify environmental issues and engage in problem-solving.
- Kick and Conserve: The event brings together more than 500 primary School Children to play football, learn about environmental conservation, and plant trees, no team can emerge the winner by just focusing on football points only.
Bonito: Climate Change and more specifically climate justice is a growing topic of discussion in the sport for good arena. How is climate change affecting grassroots sports in kenya and what role do you think the world of sport and football particular can take to help communities adapt and respond?
David: Climate change significantly impacts grassroots sports in Kenya, particularly in ways that challenge both the accessibility and sustainability of sporting activities. First, there is unpredictable weather-Erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts disrupt training schedules, events, and league matches. Flooded pitches during heavy rains or dry, cracked grounds in arid conditions limit safe play.
Secondly there is a resulting decreased participation. Extreme heat and poor air quality due to dust storms or pollution discourage outdoor sports, especially among children and youth. This is even more prevalent with vulnerable groups, especially women and children, who bear the brunt of climate challenges, limiting their participation in sports and physical activities.
There is also the Strain on Facilities. Many grassroots sports facilities are open fields with minimal maintenance resources. Climate conditions accelerate wear and tear, making them unsafe or unusable. Finally, communities affected by climate change often prioritize survival needs like water and food, leaving limited resources for sports programs.
All in all climate change creates a mess for grassroots sports programs.
Sport, and football in particular, has a unique ability to influence and mobilize communities. for example;
Raising Awareness: Grassroots sports programs can educate participants on the impacts of climate change and the importance of climate justice through workshops, events, and campaigns.
Advocating for Environmental Responsibility: Clubs and academies can model eco-friendly practices, such as using sustainable kits, advocating for clean energy, and implementing recycling programs in their facilities.
Tree-Planting Initiatives: Football organizations can lead tree-planting drives as part of their community engagement, using sports events as opportunities for reforestation efforts.
Resilient Infrastructure Development: Collaborations with stakeholders can help create weather-resilient sports infrastructure, such as water-efficient pitches and shaded play areas.
Creating Platforms for Climate Advocacy: Leagues and tournaments can be used as platforms to amplify voices on climate justice and demand systemic changes, linking local challenges to global discussions.
Support for Vulnerable Groups: Football programs can empower affected communities, especially women and youth, with life skills, education, and pathways for advocacy, ensuring they can adapt and thrive despite challenges.
The sport for the development sector, leveraging football’s immense popularity in Kenya, can lead efforts to not only adapt to climate challenges but also ensure that climate justice reaches the most vulnerable communities. By integrating environmental stewardship with sports, organizations can inspire lasting change both on and off the field.
Bonito: How is the issue of climate change discussed and looked at in the local communities where you have your interventions? Is the climate issue high on the agenda in Kenyan politics?
David: In informal settlements where organizations like Green-Kenya work, climate change is felt acutely but often discussed in practical, immediate terms rather than broader systemic contexts. Residents typically frame climate change around the challenges they face daily: unpredictable rainfall, flooding, water scarcity, and waste management. For instance, flooding during heavy rains damages homes and community spaces, including sports fields.
Prolonged droughts lead to water shortages, increasing competition for resources and creating tension in already underserved areas, however, awareness of climate change as a global phenomenon is growing, but many people in informal settlements still associate its effects with local environmental degradation, such as deforestation, poor drainage, or insufficient waste management.
Youth participating in sports and community programs often gain their first exposure to climate education through interventions like Green-Kenya’s, where these issues are linked to their everyday lives. Local communities are responding through practical measures such as rainwater harvesting, tree planting, and community clean-up drives. These efforts, though impactful, often lack sustained support or resources to scale up. Women and youth play critical roles in these actions, highlighting the intersection of climate justice and social equity.
Climate change has gained prominence in Kenyan politics, especially in light of its severe impacts on agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods. Kenya has committed to international agreements like the Paris Accord and set ambitious targets through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The government has introduced programs like the Climate Action Plan, aiming to enhance resilience and transition to renewable energy sources. While climate issues are on the political agenda, implementation of policies often faces hurdles such as inadequate funding, bureaucratic delays, and lack of coordination between national and county governments. Communities in informal settlements, who are among the most vulnerable, are frequently left out of high-level climate discussions and interventions.
There is a growing movement of youth-led climate activism in Kenya, with groups such as Wangari Maathai-inspired tree-planting initiatives. The movement influences policy and public discourse. Recommendations for Bridging the Gap can include Integrating Climate Justice into Sports, Programs in informal settlements can serve as platforms to raise awareness, build resilience, and inspire collective action against climate risks. Engaging local governments to align grassroots efforts with national climate policies ensures that vulnerable communities are prioritized.
Bonito: Thanks for that David, its really interesting to understand the issue in such a holistic way.
Bonito:Can you tell us about a moment in your football for good journey that touched your heart profoundly?
David: A profoundly touching moment in my football and social good journey was when I began gaining recognition for playing football in my community. This recognition opened doors I had never imagined, but one of the most defining moments came when I was selected to participate in the UNOSDP camp in Doha.
I was inspired by the Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Sport-Willie Lemke. He had an unwavering passion, championed the emergence of young African leaders from these camps. His belief in us was unshakable—long before we even believed in ourselves.
That experience taught me that football is not just a game; it’s a platform for empowerment, growth, and the kind of transformation that touches lives deeply. So I would say thank you to the late Willie Lemke for seeing the potential in us and planting the seeds of confidence and purpose that continue to grow today.
BIO
Name: David Mulo
Organization (s): Green-Kenya
Role: Founder, and Executive Director
Favorite Football Club: Liverpool
Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: FIFA Foundation, Save the dream, I Coach Kids (ICK World), UEFA Foundation for Children, among other organizations
Green-Kenya website: https://www.green-kenya.org/