SCHOOL GAMES: Musingu, Kimilili dethroned, as Western Region finals deliver high-stakes drama
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 21.03.26. | 21:14
Coming into the tournament, Western Region carried the weight of national dominance from 2025, but the finals confirmed a shifting competitive landscape
The 2026 KSSSA Term One Western Region Championships concluded in dramatic fashion in Vihiga County, with defending national champions in both hockey and handball boys losing their regional crowns, while controversy marred the boys’ hockey final.
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Coming into the tournament, Western Region carried the weight of national dominance from 2025, but the finals confirmed a shifting competitive landscape ahead of the national games set for Sunday, 5 to Sunday, 12 April in Kisumu.
Handball
In the handball boys’ final, Musingu High School dethroned defending national champions St Luke’s Kimilili with a 20-15 victory.
Kimilili, who lifted the national title in 2025, were unable to replicate their dominance as Musingu controlled key phases of the match to secure the regional title and qualification to nationals.
In the girls’ final, Moi Girls Kamusinga reaffirmed their status as one of the region’s top sides, edging Butere Girls High School 21-18 in a closely contested encounter to clinch the title.
Hockey
The hockey competitions delivered both high-quality action and post-match drama.
In the boys’ final, Friends School Kamusinga (FSK) dethroned defending national champions Musingu High School, winning 3-1 in post-match shootouts after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
The match, however, was overshadowed by controversy. It stretched over three hours due to multiple stoppages and incidents of crowd trouble, disrupting the flow of play.
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Following the match, Musingu have lodged an official appeal, citing the alleged use of ineligible players by Kamusinga.
The case is now before the appeals committee, whose ruling could have significant implications on the final outcome and national qualification.
In the girls’ final, defending national champions Tigoi Girls retained their regional dominance, narrowly defeating Shieywe Secondary School 2-1 in post-match shootouts after a 1-1 draw.
Shieywe had earlier signalled their intent with a semifinal win over Moi Girls Kamusinga, but Tigoi’s experience proved decisive under pressure.
Rugby 15s
In rugby 15s boys, Bungoma High School emerged as the new Western Region champions after edging Kakamega High School 12-7 in a tightly fought final.
The result completes a significant shift in the region following the earlier elimination of defending national champions Vihiga High School at the semifinal stage, confirming that Western will have a new standard-bearer heading into the national games.
The Western Region finals have reshaped expectations ahead of the 2026 KSSSA Term One National Games.
While established names like Musingu and Moi Girls Kamusinga remain in contention, the loss of regional titles by defending national champions, particularly in hockey boys and handball boys, signals increased competition within the region.
With the regional qualifiers now decided, attention shifts to Kisumu for the national championships. However, the unresolved appeal in the boys’ hockey final adds an element of uncertainty.
Should the appeals committee rule in favour of Musingu, the regional representation could change, potentially altering the competitive dynamics at nationals.
For now, Western Region heads to Kisumu with renewed rivalries, fresh champions, and lingering questions, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested 2026 national tournament.