- Tenwek High School has been disqualified from the 2026 KSSSA National Games over player eligibility issues.
- The decision has revived memories of Kabungut Boys’ controversial exit from the competition in 1999.
- School principal Mutali Chesebe says the institution has accepted the verdict and is preparing for a stronger comeback.
The disqualification of Tenwek High School from the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Games has revived memories of a similar incident involving another Bomet County football powerhouse more than two decades ago.
Tenwek had earned the right to represent the Rift Valley Region at the national championships after an impressive campaign in Narok County. However, the school’s dream was cut short after officials established that three players were over the prescribed age limit by three months, while two others had conflicting KCPE registration credentials.
Confirming the decision, Tenwek High School Senior Principal Mutali Chesebe said the school had accepted the outcome despite the disappointment.
“We have accepted the decision. It is painful because the boys worked very hard to earn their place at the national championships,” Chesebe said.
He revealed that informing the players about the disqualification was one of the most difficult moments for the school’s administration.
“When we broke the news to the boys, they were heartbroken. Some of them cried because they had looked forward to representing the school and the Rift Valley Region at the national games,” he said.
School looks ahead after painful setback
Despite the setback, Chesebe said the school was already focusing on the future.
“We have encouraged the players to remain strong. This is not the end of the journey. We are now preparing for next season, and we believe we shall come back stronger while ensuring full compliance with all the regulations,” he added.
The decision means Tenwek becomes only the second school from Bomet County to qualify for the national football championships and later lose the opportunity due to eligibility issues.
Echoes of Kabungut Boys’ 1999 controversy
The first such case occurred in 1999 when Kabungut Boys High School, famously known as the “Golden Boys,” reached the Rift Valley finals in Kitale.
In one of the most memorable school football finals in the region’s history, Kabungut Boys overwhelmed Litein High School 8-0 to book what appeared to be a deserved place at the national championships.
Celebrations, however, were short-lived.
Following protests and investigations, Kabungut Boys were disqualified after one of their players was found to be ineligible. The disciplinary decision overturned the result, with Litein High School being awarded the slot to represent the Rift Valley Region at the national games.
Twenty-six years later, history has repeated itself.
Tenwek’s disqualification has denied the school an opportunity to compete on the national stage despite its outstanding performances on the pitch. Instead, Menengai High School has been handed the ticket to represent the Rift Valley Region at the 2026 KSSSA National Games in Thika.
The two incidents, though separated by more than two decades, underscore the importance of strict compliance with KSSSA eligibility regulations governing age, academic records and player registration.
For Bomet County, the latest development is a painful reminder that success on the field alone is not enough. Administrative compliance is equally critical in school sports, where eligibility rules are enforced to protect the integrity and fairness of competition.
While Kabungut Boys’ 1999 disqualification remains one of the county’s most talked-about football controversies, Tenwek’s exit in 2026 now joins that chapter as another heartbreaking moment in Bomet’s rich school football history.
Even as the disappointment lingers, Tenwek High School has appealed for calm among its supporters and wished Menengai High School success as it carries the Rift Valley flag at the national championships.
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Chesebe reaffirmed the school’s commitment to the values of excellence that have defined the institution since 1961, saying the setback would serve as a lesson and motivation to return stronger in future competitions.
By Jeff Kirui
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