- Baricho Boys have been elevated to the 2026 KSSSA National Championships after three Central Region schools were disqualified for breaching eligibility rules.
- Ruthagati Boys, Kirangari Secondary and Mwenda-Andu Secondary were expelled for fielding ineligible players, including foreign nationals.
- The ruling underscores KSSSA’s intensified crackdown on irregularities, with officials emphasising fairness, integrity, and strict enforcement of eligibility regulations in school sports.
The Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) has reshuffled the Central Region boys’ football standings after disqualifying three schools for breaching eligibility rules, paving the way for St. Philip’s Baricho Boys to earn a place at the 2026 national championships.
Baricho Boys, who had finished fourth in the regional contest, were elevated into the qualification bracket following a disciplinary ruling that expelled Ruthagati Boys High School, Kirangari Secondary School and Mwenda-Andu Secondary School.
The decision has dramatically altered the region’s representation at the national stage, giving Baricho Boys a second chance to compete among Kenya’s top school football teams.
Investigations by the KSSSA disciplinary committee revealed that Ruthagati Boys had fielded Sudanese players during the competition, while Kirangari and Mwenda-Andu were found guilty of using footballers who did not meet the association’s eligibility requirements. The ruling underscores KSSSA’s intensified crackdown on irregularities, with officials insisting that only bona fide students should participate in school games.
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KSSSA tightens player eligibility checks as scrutiny intensifies at school games
The association has in recent months tightened scrutiny of registration documents, age limits and school records to eliminate cases of ineligible participation. Officials say the measures are aimed at protecting fairness and ensuring that genuine student-athletes benefit from the opportunities provided by school competitions.
The disciplinary action has been welcomed by school officials and football fans, who argue that compliance with regulations is essential to safeguard the credibility of the championships. They maintain that institutions attempting to gain an unfair advantage by fielding ineligible players undermine the spirit of competition and must face consequences.
KSSSA has reiterated that any school found violating its constitution risks expulsion from competitions regardless of its performance on the pitch. The association has emphasised that integrity will remain central to its operations as school games continue to attract heightened interest and competitiveness.
With the matter settled, St. Philip’s Baricho Boys will now turn their attention to preparations for the national championships. Carrying the Central Region’s hopes, the team is determined to make the most of its unexpected lifeline and prove its worth against the country’s best.
By Kithinji Njeru
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