Underdogs bite hard in Eastern region school games
Raila Educational Centre players celebrate after lifting the girls’ football title in the 2026 Nairobi Region Secondary Sports Association Term Two Games on July 12, 2026 at Jamhuri High School.
Underdogs Misuuni Secondary School from Makueni County have qualified to represent the Eastern region in Kenya secondary schools' national Term Two games after stunning champions Dr Charles Secondary from Machakos 8-7 in a tough football final match which lasted more than two hours at Makueni Boys High School on Saturday.
Dr Charles dominated the match, which ended in a 0-0 draw in regular and extra time. A penalty shoot-out broke the stalemate.
“This will be our first time representing the Eastern region at the nationals. The victory is a dream come true,” Misuuni Secondary School’s football coach, Moses Muasya, told Nation Sport.
Makueni County won six out of nine titles on offer, as Embu, Kitui and Machakos counties took home a trophy each in the three-day tournament characterised by major upsets.
A tussle between debutants Tumaini Secondary School in Makueni County and Kathekakai Secondary School of Machakos County was the major highlight of the game. Tumaini beat Kathakakei 3-1 in football final. Tumaini team captain Musa Tindi scored two of the three goals.
Bungoma High School football players celebrate after scoring a goal during western region secondary schools Term Two games in Bungoma on July 11, 2026.
Moi Girls High School, Kibwezi, upstaged Musingini Secondary School of Machakos County 39-17 to emerge netball champions. It was the first time for the team to play in the regionals. Moi Girls High School’s netball coach, Joseph Makau, said the team was composed exclusively of Grade 10 students.
“Qualifying for the nationals is a bonus to us. We started our games a bit late, and therefore we did not expect to qualify to represent the region at the nationals. Our dream was to make it to the county level and announce our appearance, maybe in preparation for next year,” Mr Makau said.
Kitondo Secondary School from Makueni County booked a ticket to the nationals by upsetting the defending champions, All Saints Secondary School of Embu County, 10-7 in a gruelling match. The two teams qualified for the nationals.
St Teresa Girls High School of Embu County won the sevens rugby title after beating Muvuti Secondary School 45-12. The two teams qualified for the nationals.
East Africa reigning volleyball champions Kwanthanze Secondary School from Machakos retained the regional title after thrashing Nduluni Secondary from Makueni County 3-0, and Matiliku Boys High School kept the volleyball title after edging out Kaundu Secondary School of Kitui County 3-2. Matiliku also capped the title hunt by flooring Kajiuduthi High School of Tharaka Nithi County 13-8 to emerge champions in 3-on-3 basketball. Ikutha Girls Secondary from Kitui took the girls’ title after beating Nduluni Secondary from Makueni 21-3. T
In Nairobi region, Soweto Academy continued their supremacy in girls’ volleyball by clinching an impressive 10th straight title on Sunday.
After four action-packed days at Jamhuri High School and Starehe Boys Centre and School, the Nairobi region competitions culminated yesterday with final matches also in men’s volleyball, girls’ and boys’ football, and girls’ and boys’ rugby sevens. Though Soweto Academy continued its dominance in the girls’ volleyball title with a 3-0 victory over bitter rivals Brown Hill, the champions had to work hard for the win. Brown Hill gave them a run for their money in all three sets, pushing the holders before falling 25-21, 25-20 and 25-16.
“I have been meeting these girls (Brown Hill), and I didn’t expect them to give me a rough time the way they have done today (Sunday). Today they played so well,” said Soweto Academy coach Wycliffe Wafula.
He said tactical adjustments during the match played a key role in securing the victory.
In the boys’ category, Ruthimitu Secondary School successfully defended their crown with a 3-1 win over Hospital Hill High School. Ruthimitu won the first set 25-21 before falling 21-25 in the second set.
Raila Educational Centre were crowned the new girls’ football champions after they defeated Soweto Academy 2-1 in the final. Under veteran coach Joseph Orao, Raila scored through Saida Abdallah and Snider Anyango.
“God has rewarded the girls for their hard work. Since last year, they have been sleeping late and training very hard,” said Orao. In boys’ football, Highway High School defended their title with a 5-3 post-match penalties over Upper Hill School.
The match ended in a barren draw both in regular and extra time.
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