History as Gede make first-ever KSSSA rugby nationals

History was made at Mpeketoni Girls Secondary School as Gede Boys Secondary earned their first-ever ticket to the national rugby 7s championships after finishing runners-up at the Coast Region Secondary School Games.

The achievement marks a major milestone for the Kilifi-based school since its establishment in 1976.

Though rugby was only introduced at Gede in 2015, Coach Collins Magomere has now written his name into the school’s history books as the first coach to steer the team to the prestigious Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national stage.

Gede fell just short in a hard-fought final, going down 19-10 to BaldaChino secondary. However, the second-place finish was enough to secure their slot at the 2025 KSSSA national rugby 7s championships, set to be held in Kakamega on July 26th.

“This is a dream come true. These boys have worked incredibly hard and this achievement is a product of belief, discipline, and dedication. We may have lost the final, but we are going to the nationals with heads held high. Gede will never be the same again,” said Coach Collins Magomere.

Gede entered the tournament as Kilifi County champions, having already shown promise earlier in the term. In a tightly contested Group A, they opened with a 5-5 draw against Taru before suffering a 10-5 defeat to Allidina Visram.

Gede showed grit and composure in their quarterfinal matchup against a strong Waa Boys side. In a tense battle, they edged out their opponents 15-12 to seal a place in the semis.

They then went toe-to-toe with Serani in the semifinals and produced a statement performance, showcasing defensive solidity and counter-attacking flair to reach the finals.

Despite giving their all, Gede were undone 19-10 by a clinical BaldaChino outfit, but their journey and spirit won the admiration of fans and opponents alike.

BaldaChino and Gede Boys will now fly the Coast Region flag at the nationals in Kakamega later this month. With their performance in Malindi, both teams have shown they have what it takes to challenge the country’s best.