Moi Girls Kamusinga, Butere retain titles

Moi Girls Kamusinga retained their handball title after stunning arch-rivals St. Joseph's Girls Kitale 25-16 in a thrilling final of the Kenya Secondary Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One games staged at Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kisumu on Saturday.

The Seals, who won the 2025 SOYA award school of the year on Friday night were on a mission to avenge the painful 16-15 defeat handed by JOGA in the 2022 final in Eldoret and win their 10th title.

The Godfrey Simiyu-led side showed intent from the onset, attacking relentlessly to tear the nemesis apart, leading 13-4 into the break.

However, St. Joseph’s unleashed a different gear in the second half but their firepower was not enough to overcome the reigning champions as the game was already sealed.

Head coach Godfrey Simiyu praised his girls for sticking to and executing the game plan.

“I want to thank the girls for the emphatic win. They stuck to the game plan we planned yesterday and executed it well, which helped us clinch the title,” an excited Simiyu said.

The history and geography teacher who bagged the school coach of the year award in the 2025 SOYA Awards on Friday said the award motivated him going into today’s match, promising to train guns towards defending the East Africa gong in August.

“I was motivated after Moi Girls Kamusinga and I both won SOYA awards and that fueled us to go for the win. Our target is now to defend the East Africa title.”

His words were echoed by captain Barbra Lavenda who hailed her teammates for their collective effort.

“I’m so happy after winning today. We promise to bring the East African title home.”

Joyce Mulunda, Chief Principal, and the patron’s team couldn’t hide her joy, hailing the team for their tremendous success.

Boys title went to Musingu High School, who battered St. Joseph’s Boys Kitale 30-19 to bag their ninth title.

It was sweet revenge for Musingu, who had lost to the Rift Valley champions in the preliminaries, ending their 15-year title drought.

Basketball 5x5 assassins Butere Girls also retained their title after slaying former champions Kaya Tiwi 60-53 in a scintillating final.

This was the fourth year in a row The Canons were lifting the gong, and the third time in four years they tormented the Philip-Onyango-led side.

Butere showed intent from the beginning, their ball-handling skills against Kaya Tiwi were too powerful for them to cope with, winning the first quarter 16-10.

However, they dropped the ball in the second quarter, allowing Kaya Tiwi to cut the deficit to 33-31 at halftime.

Fireworks were experienced in the third and fourth quarters with both teams trying to win the tie.

With two minutes to go and both teams tied at 51-51, coach Sly Odoo called for a time-out, and it worked in their favor as the girls came back with the firepower needed to see off their opponents.

The canons scored seven points against two for the opponents to take the score to 57-53 with a minute to go.

Butere then nailed the last nail into Kaya Tiwi’s coffin with nine seconds to play, much to Odoo's relief.

“This has been a tough final. We were ready for the tie and I’m happy we managed our lead well. Winning a fourth title in a row is a no mean feat,” said Odoo.

Captain Makayla Catherine was also in awe of their emphatic victory.

“I’m so proud of my team for the performance today. The game was intense but we managed well. We now aim for the East African title.”

In the boys’ category, Friends School Kamusinga (FSK) staged an incredible comeback to edge an in-form Lukenya 54-51 in a closely contested tie, clinching the title.

Lukenya, who were eyeing their maiden title had a bright start, stunning FSK 27-22 at halftime but the former champions unearthed their arsenal in the last two quarters to reclaim the title

At Kisumu Day, St. Anthony Boys Kitale defeated Musingu Boys 4-1 to finally win the national hockey title after three years of asking.

The Les Titans won it in a shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

Head coach Kevin Lugalia was over the moon after finally laying hands on the title.

“I’m so happy for this win. We’ve worked so hard for this title. We took one match at a time and a big congratulations to the boys for bringing it home. We now aim for the East African title,” Lugalia said.

Lugalia also hailed the MVP Kelvin Onyango, who scored their lone goal and converted his penalty, for his incredible talent.

“Onyango has been outstanding since form one. He has been immense and you rarely come across such players.”

In the girls’ category, St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale took the title after defeating Nyamira Girls 2-1 in another nail-biting clash.

Top three teams will now represent Kenya in the regional competition in August in Arusha, Tanzania.

However, handball (boys & girls), Rugby boys, and hockey girls will present four teams as Kenya are the defending champions in those catagories.