As you step onto the grounds of St Joseph’s Girls High School in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, you're welcomed by a powerful inscription on a board: “Isaiah 60:17 – I will bring you gold instead of bronze.” These words set the tone for a school deeply rooted in excellence.
Further inside, in the administration block, another motivational message reads: “Educate a girl and she can be the best leader in the country.”
It's a mantra that continues to inspire the students, especially as they gear up for the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One Games that will run from Tuesday till Saturday in Mombasa.
Behind the trees, the school is a hive of activity, with various teams undergoing intensive training. St Joseph’s Girls have struck an impressive balance between academics and sports.
In 2023, the school had a mean score of 7.8 before improving the mark to 8.2 last year, proving that they are also a force to be reckoned with in academics.
They have qualified for the national games in four disciplines: hockey, basketball, handball, and rugby 15s, after successfully sweeping the titles at the Rift Valley Region Secondary Schools Term One Games last month.
With 49 students, they will have the largest contingent in Mombasa as they seek glory in the four disciplines.
Nation Sport visited the school before their departure to Mombasa, and the school’s games teacher, John Lusaka, attributed their success to discipline, focus, and dedication.
“Our running call this year is to go for gold and not bronze, and being a golden era, we want to do well in all the events we are participating in at the nationals. Our Chief Principal has been so supportive, and that has really helped the girls to remain focused and go for nothing but the best,” said Lusaka.
He added that preparations began soon after last year’s East Africa School Games in Uganda, giving the girls a competitive edge.
St Joseph’s Girls High School handball team trains at the school on March 27, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“Ahead of the nationals, we set up a camp for the teams, including those who are going to compete at the Term Two games because we want to be the best in all sectors,” Lusaka explained.
The hockey team, which clinched gold at last year’s East African Games, thrashed Nakuru High School 18-0 in this year’s regional final, replicating last year’s performance.
Skipper Doreen Aiyoo, who is a Form Four student, emphasised the team’s mindset.
“We know the other schools have trained, and they will be watching us keenly. We don’t want to relax in any match because we went to the East Africa School Games in third position, but came back as winners. We shall be tackling each match at a time because this year we want the national title and also retain the East African crown,” said Aiyoo, who also sent a warning shot to national champions Tigoi Girls High School, a long-standing rival.
St Joseph’s have been placed in Pool ‘A’ alongside St Charles’ Lwanga High School (Coast), AIC Nyayo High School (Eastern), and Mwiki Secondary School (Nairobi). Pool B includes St John’s Kaloleni (Coast), debutantes Ngiya Girls High School (Nyanza), Tigoi Girls High School (Western), and Mpesa Academy (Central).
In handball, after missing out last year, St Joseph’s are eager to make a strong comeback. The team, beaten by Murinduko High School (Nakuru County) last year, in the regional final now aims to reach the finals and clinch the title. They are in Pool ‘B’ with Thika Girls Karibari (Central), Kadika High School (Nyanza), and Moi Forces Academy (Coast).
In basketball, St Joseph’s are in Pool ‘B’, set to face M-Pesa Academy (Central), Asumbi Girls High School (Nyanza), and holders Butere High School (Western).
Hilda Simiyu, the basketball captain and a Form Four student who began playing in Form Two, expressed confidence in her team’s preparation.
Joseph’s Girls High School handball coach Edwin Adamba and his players during a training session at the school on March 27, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“Last year, Nasokol Girls High School managed to beat us at the regionals, but this time we want to prove that we are good and we started our preparations early enough. We want to have more plays, more gas, and work on ball handling so that we can play to the finals,” said Simiyu.
“Consistent training is the key thing, and the girls are determined to go for the trophy at the nationals. Last year, we didn’t make it to the finals, and we have been working hard because we started preparations early enough,” said Sitati.
“At the nationals, everyone is a champion, and we won’t underestimate anyone because we are in the pool of death. We will mount our challenge and go for the victory.”
With girls’ rugby 15s yet to be fully incorporated in the KSSSA calendar, teams will feature in the tournament organized by the Kenya Rugby Union. Girls’ rugby sevens, which is played in Term Two, made its debut last year with St Joseph’s winning both the national and East African titles.
