Defending county champions Rongena Secondary School will once again represent Narok County at the Rift Valley Region Secondary School Games after Friends School Poroko were disqualified from the boys’ volleyball final for fielding an ineligible player.
The hotly contested final—initially thought to be a clash of titans between Rongena of Narok West and Poroko from Transmara West Sub-county—took a dramatic turn after sports officials launched investigations following a formal complaint.
It was established that Poroko had violated Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) rules by including a non-student—commonly referred to as a ‘mamluki’—in their match-day squad, an act deemed gross misconduct in school competitions.
The ruling not only stripped Poroko of the county title but also reaffirmed Rongena’s dominance in the sport, handing them the ticket to the regional games set for July 8–12 in Uasin Gishu County.
Unconfirmed reports say that the Friends Poroko will appeal the decision, and plans are underway to challenge the move in the court of law.
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The move comes at a time when county sports officials have issued a stern warning to schools fielding non-students.
While calling for upholding the integrity of school sports, Jacob Barusei, Secretary of the Narok County Secondary School Sports Association, said the competitions are about giving real students a platform to grow—not rewarding schools that cut corners.
Barusei condemned the increasing cases of ineligible players in school tournaments, warning that such practices are both unethical and emotionally damaging to legitimate student-athletes.
“Imagine a student who has trained for months, only to lose their spot to someone who doesn’t belong in the school. That’s a betrayal of their hard work and dreams,” he said.
He emphasised the need for coaches and teachers to prioritise mentorship and values over the unhealthy obsession with winning at all costs, saying that misuse of sports programs not only wastes public resources but also crushes student morale.
Officials have vowed to intensify scrutiny in future competitions, warning that any institution found flouting KSSSA regulations will face stringent penalties.
With the matter now settled, Rongena—who successfully defended their county title through fair play—will focus on regional preparations, aiming to extend their dominance to the Rift Valley stage.
By Enock Okong’o
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