The Ministry of Education (MoE) has firmly dismissed claims circulating on social media suggesting that age restrictions for participants in the ongoing school games have been lifted.
According to Nelson Sifuna, MoE Head of Field Coordination and Co-curricular Activities, no such directive has been issued, and the public should treat the information as false and misleading.
“The MoE has not released any circular to that effect. The information being shared is fake news,” Sifuna stated, emphasizing the importance of relying on official communication channels rather than hearsay or informal claims.
His remarks come in response to allegations that a senior MoE official had verbally authorized the removal of age limits via a phone call. Sifuna clarified that all official decisions are communicated through formal circulars, and no such document exists regarding the age policy.
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MoE Deputy Director for Quality Assurance and Standards, Eliud Wambua, echoed Sifuna’s sentiments, adding that the school games are governed by a constitution and aligned with international standards.
He cited the frameworks provided by the International School Sport Federation (ISF) and the Federation of African Schools Sports (FASS), which guide age-based participation in global competitions.
“These games are not just local events. They serve as selection grounds for international age-group tournaments. It’s essential that students compete within their appropriate categories to ensure fairness and protect their development,” Wambua explained.
The MoE official further outlined the age brackets currently in place: learners under 12 years for primary schools, under 15 for junior secondary, and under 19 for senior secondary institutions. According to Wambua, this classification ensures that no student is placed at a disadvantage due to mismatched competition levels.
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This comes amid heightened scrutiny over eligibility and fairness in school sports, especially following recent controversies surrounding age cheating and inconsistent enforcement of rules. Officials say the age limits are not only meant to uphold integrity but also to safeguard younger learners from physical and psychological harm that may arise from competing against older, more mature students.
MoE has reiterated its commitment to structured, inclusive, and globally recognized co-curricular programs. It has also urged school heads, coaches, and parents to support the enforcement of age guidelines and discourage misinformation that could undermine the integrity of the competitions.
By Masaki Enock
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