2025 KSSSA national games face integrity test ahead of Kakamega battle

As the curtain rises on the much-anticipated Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) national games set for July 29 to August 2 in Kakamega County Bukhungu Stadium, doubts linger over the integrity of the competition.

Allegations of schools fielding ineligible players during the just concluded regional championships have cast a long shadow on this year’s tournament, prompting firm warnings from regional sports officials.

In the Nyanza region, the controversy reached alarming levels with high-profile disqualifications. Kisumu Day Boys were axed out of the regional ball games, while Onjiko High School suffered a whooping three-year ban for fielding six unqualified players, some of whom reportedly had prior experience in national leagues.

Age cheating, use of fake student documents, and poaching of mature athletes from football academies were among the rampant violations uncovered.

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Now, Nyanza KSSSA regional secretary David Ngugi has sounded a clear warning to other schools opting to follow suit.

In a strongly worded caution to schools proceeding to the nationals, Ngugi emphasized that any players previously disqualified at the regional level will not be allowed to participate in Kakamega.

“Please inform teams that were asked to remove some players during the regional championships due to ineligibility that they are also not eligible to play at the nationals. If they include any, the team will be disqualified,” he declared.

To restore credibility, the KSSSA has rolled out a digital Players Information System (PIS), aimed at curbing fraud and reinforcing compliance. But the issue has stirred a fierce debate around ethics in youth sports, where victory is often prized over values.

As schools prepare to showcase talent on the national stage, the spotlight will also be on accountability. Education stakeholders and fans alike are eagerly waiting to see if KSSSA will pass the integrity test

By Masaki Enock