Kakamega High and St Joseph’s Claim Football Crowns
Exciting new champions emerged as the 2026 Secondary Schools Sports Association Term Two National Games drew to a close at the M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Thika.
In the boys’ football final, Kakamega High School, popularly known as the Green Commandos, edged out St Mary’s School Yala 3-2 in a tense encounter that required extra time to decide the winner. The hard-fought victory allowed Kakamega to reclaim the national title and secure a place alongside Yala at the upcoming East Africa Games.
The decisive match delivered drama from start to finish. Julius Ochieng gave Kakamega an early lead, only for Collins Otieno to equalise for Yala just before half-time and then put his side ahead in the 55th minute. Derick Wanyonyi restored parity for the Green Commandos with ten minutes remaining, before Eugene Ochieng struck the winning goal in extra time. “We thank God for giving us the victory because the match has been very tough. We knew we would win the title,” Ochieng said afterwards, expressing confidence that the team would also triumph at the regional championships.
On the girls’ side, St Joseph’s Girls High School from the Rift Valley region captured their first-ever national football crown, completing a memorable day for the sport. Large crowds gathered throughout the five-day event, with attendance reaching its peak during the football finals and creating an electric atmosphere around the pitches.
Rugby and other codes also produced historic results. Butula Boys High School from Western region claimed the boys’ sevens rugby title for the first time by overcoming Cardinal Otunga Mosocho in the final. Meanwhile, Agoro Sare High School and Ikutha Girls Secondary School celebrated maiden successes in the boys’ and girls’ 3x3 basketball competitions respectively, while Andersen Senior School and Chemasisi Boys High School secured first national titles in girls’ netball and boys’ volleyball.
Several defending champions also held firm. Kinale Girls High School successfully retained the girls’ rugby sevens crown, and Kesegon Mixed Secondary School reclaimed the girls’ volleyball title. The championships highlighted the depth of talent across the country’s secondary schools and left organisers, coaches and players looking ahead with anticipation to the next stage of regional competition.
