Kisii town comes to standstill as school games take center stage

The undying love for sports in Kisii County has been evident since the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term Two games kicked off on Tuesday, July 10.

The streets of the highland town slowly came to life with excitement.

The games brought the county to a thrilling standstill, with major roads congested by enthusiastic crowds and hundreds of supporters spilling into the venues.

The games are played at Kisii High School and Cardinal Otunga High School, with several matches held at Gusii Stadium.

The electrifying atmosphere was not limited to the sporting arenas. The economic ripple effects were undeniable.

Shops across the town experienced a windfall, their shelves emptying quickly as fans and participants alike sought refreshments, snacks, and game-day essentials.

From whistles to bottled water and energy drinks, businesses boomed, capitalizing on the surge in foot traffic.

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Mozzart Sport chatted with Jared Nyamwaya, who owns a shop just outside Gusii Stadium, and he could not hide his excitement. “Today has been a good day. On Thursday, people always plan to protest and these games have kept them busy. We want more games in this region. The benefits are evident,” Nyamwaya said.

The hospitality industry also reaped the benefits. Hotels and restaurants witnessed a surge in bookings, overflowing with teams, supporters, and officials.

I spent more than an hour trying to find a suitable room for the night, as most were fully booked.

Beyond the economic boost, the games fostered a sense of unity and community pride in Kisii County.

Locals of all ages came together to cheer on the young athletes, their cheers echoing through the streets.

Parents proudly donned their children's school colours, while shopkeepers adorned their storefronts with banners in support of the competing teams.

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Wycliffe Opongo, a parent of a student at Kodero Bara, was glad to watch his son play.

He was grateful to the KSSSA officials for bringing the games closer to home. “I finally got to watch my son play. I was cheering for him and I was so happy. We want more games here so that we continue to enjoy,” Opongo told Mozzart Sport.

The games will end on Saturday, July 13, with the nationals set to be held in the same town.