The Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Prof. Julius Bitok has announced plans to crack down on age cheating during the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national championships in Kisumu.
Speaking during the opening of the KSSSA Term One games in Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu County, Prof. Bitok warned that teachers found abetting the malpractice will face disciplinary action, adding that the ministry will recommend punishment through the Teachers Service Commission.
He further pointed out that such practices undermine fairness in school competitions, saying that sports talent must be nurtured at all costs since it is one of the basis and spirit of the competency based education.
PS also said that doping in sports must be fought from all fronts in order to uphold fairness and transparency.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili speaking alongside PS Bitok lauded the government for its efforts to upgrade Moi stadium, adding that more of such facilities should be erected in the town.
The KSSSA Term One games being held at various venues in the lakeside city are expected to run from April 4 to April 11, 2026.
The games will feature athletics, decathlon, heptathlon, rugby 15s, basketball, hockey, handball, and cross-country
Other venues include Kisumu Day for hockey, Kisumu National Polytechnic for basketball and handball, and Aga Khan Primary School for swimming.
Although Maseno School was slated to host the nationals, the schedule was later changed, and it is now set to stage the primary and junior schools, as well as Special Needs Education games.
The boys will be accommodated at Kisumu High School and the girls at St Theresa’s girls Kisumu.
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The stern warning comes after several schools were disqualified from the KSSSA games after the audit revealed widespread irregularities.
An audit, compiled and signed by Peter Otieno, Head of ICT in the office of the KSSSA Secretary General, exposed widespread irregularities across rugby, athletics, and handball, raising serious questions about the integrity of the upcoming championships
As a result, Rugby powerhouse Bungoma High School was singled out with 22 players listed as ineligible, the highest figure in the report.
In athletics, Kamusinde Boys High School had eight athletes flagged, sparking concern in a discipline that traditionally delivers a bulk of medals.
Any disqualifications could deal a major blow to the school’s medal prospects in track and field.
Additionally, in Handball Musingu High School and Moi Girls High School, Kamusinga, each had one player listed as ineligible.
Officials warned that even a single breach could alter match outcomes and affect team eligibility.
The audit also highlighted recurring weaknesses in player registration, age verification, and transfer documentation, areas KSSSA had been striving to tighten following past controversies.
Pools in the KSSSA Championship
The boys’ rugby 15s draw places newly crowned Nyanza region champions St Mary’s School Yala in a challenging Pool A alongside former national champions All Saints Embu, Kwale High, and Upper Hill School.
Pool B features the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) champions, Kisii School, as well as new Western region champions Bungoma High, Menengai High, and Mangu.
In the girls’ 7s competition, Pool A includes national champions alongside heavyweights St Joseph’s Girls Kitale, Paul Harris, and Sidindi.
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Pool B has Nyanza champions Sigoti Complex, St Theresa’s Embu, Mwira, and Mbagathi (Nairobi).
Other draws are as follows:
Boys’ Handball
Pool A: St Austin Matuu Day, Sabunley, Highway Secondary, Handega
Pool B: Musingu High, St Joseph’s Boys Kitale, Kenyatta High
Girls’ Handball
Pool A: Nembu High, Moi Girls Kamusinga, Kyeni Girls, Nyakach Girls
Pool B: St Joseph’s Girls Kitale, Mwatete, Karai, North Eastern representatives
Boys’ Basketball
Pool A: Lukenya Academy, Laiser Hill Academy, Dagoretti High, Dr Aggrey
Pool B: Agoro Sare, Friends School Kamusinga, Mang’u High, North Eastern representatives
Girls’ Basketball
Pool A: Butere Girls, Olympic, North Eastern representatives, St Brigids, Kiminini
Pool B: Asumbi Girls, Kaya Tiwi, Loreto Limuru, Ikutha Girls.
By Fredrick Odiero
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