Neglected Woodley Grounds Fuels Mental Health Challenges in Kibra

Beneath the vibrant buzz of Nairobi’s sports culture lies a sobering reality, countless young athletes are being failed by the very systems meant to support their growth. The lack of proper playing grounds has pushed many into a spiral of frustration, mental health struggles, and, alarmingly, substance abuse.

Take Brian, a 17-year-old aspiring footballer from Kibra. Football once offered him a sanctuary, a way to channel his energy and escape the pressures of slum life. But Brian finds himself in a void with the iconic Woodley Grounds falling into neglect, its grass overgrown, and goalposts rusting.

“I started hanging out with the wrong crowd because I had nowhere else to go. Before I knew it, I was trying bhang [marijuana],” he admits.

Data from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) shows that drug use among Kenyan youth aged 15–24 has been steadily increasing, with 18.2% having used at least one illicit drug. The numbers are even higher in areas like Kibra, where recreational facilities are scarce. Experts attribute this to the lack of productive activities and safe spaces for young people.

The mental health toll is equally alarming. Psychologists note that the absence of structured recreational spaces leaves youth vulnerable to stress, anxiety, and depression. Tasha, a 19-year-old sprinter, has also felt the impact. “When I couldn’t train anymore, I started feeling worthless. My friends offered me alcohol to ‘help me relax.’ It’s easy to get caught up,” she shares.

The neglect of Woodley Grounds, once a hub for sporting talent, is emblematic of a broader failure. Community grounds across Nairobi, from Kayole to South B, have fallen into disrepair, stranding young athletes. For Kevin, a 22-year-old footballer, the situation is dire. Without a place to play, he now spends his days idling in the streets, where drugs are readily available.

“It’s like the system is telling us we don’t matter,” he says bitterly.

A past photo of Kibra United vs Tusker Youth at Woodley grounds

Once teeming with life, Nairobi’s Woodley Grounds now stands as a shadow of its former self. Overgrown with weeds and surrounded by piles of trash, the field reflects a larger crisis—one that is pushing young athletes toward substance abuse and mental health struggles.

Linet, a 19-year-old volleyball player from Lindi, describes how the closure of her training ground led her to experiment with khat (miraa). “We used to play after school, and it kept me focused. When the grounds closed, I had nothing to do, and chewing miraa felt like a way to pass the time. Now I can’t stop,” she says.

According to NACADA, Nairobi County has one of the highest rates of drug abuse in the country. at least  20% of youth in informal settlements report having tried alcohol, while 30% admit to using harder substances like heroin or cocaine.