SCHOOL GAMES: Western champions headline Regional battles as race to Nationals intensifies
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 17.03.26. | 16:46
As a result, the western regional contests are not just qualifiers; they are, in many respects, early national-level showdowns
With the 2026 KSSSA Term One National Games set for Sunday, 5 to Sunday, 12 April in Kisumu, attention shifts to Vihiga County, where the Western Region Secondary School games (Wednesday, 18 to Saturday, 21 March) will play a decisive role in shaping the national lineup.
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Western Region heads into the qualifiers carrying the weight of dominance, having produced the bulk of 2025 national champions across multiple disciplines.
As a result, the western regional contests are not just qualifiers; they are, in many respects, early national-level showdowns.
In rugby 15s, defending national champions Vihiga High School headline Pool A, where they face Bungoma High School, St Peter’s Mumias, and Amukura.
Vihiga, who powered their way to the 2025 national title, will be keen to assert early control, but the pool presents no easy fixtures, particularly against a physical Bungoma High side.
Pool B features heavyweights Kakamega School, Senende Boys, Butula Boys, and Bokoli Boys.
In hockey, Western once again brings a formidable pedigree. Reigning boys’ national champions Musingu High School are placed in Pool A alongside Mundika High School, Bungoma High School, and Kaimosi.
Pool B features Friends School Kamusinga, Kolanya, Nyang’ori, and Kakamega School.
On the girls’ side, defending national champions Tigoi Girls headline Pool B, where they face Moi Girls Kamusinga, Kingandole, and Mukumu Girls.
Pool A includes Misikhu, Nangina, Shieywe, and Madira.
Western’s dominance extends into handball, where St Luke’s Kimilili (boys) and Moi Girls Kamusinga (girls) return as defending national champions.
In basketball, national boys’ champions Laiser Hill Academy - the only defending champions outside Western begin their regional campaign in the Rift Valley region, while Western’s Butere Girls High School, the reigning national girls’ champions, will look to maintain their stronghold and secure another trip to nationals.
As the Western Region games get underway, the spotlight firmly rests on the defending champions, for Vihiga High in rugby, Musingu in boys’ hockey, Tigoi in girls’ hockey, St Luke’s Kimilili in boys’ handball, Moi Girls Kamusinga in girls’ handball, and Butere in girls’ basketball. The task is clear: defend regional pride and secure a return to the national stage.
Term 1 National Pooling 2026
Hockey Girls
Pool A: Nyanza 1, Central, Nairobi, Eastern
Pool B: Nyanza 2, Coast, Rift Valley, Western
Hockey Boys
Pool A: Nyanza 1, Central, Rift Valley, Eastern
Pool B: Nyanza 2, Nairobi, Western, Coast
Handball Girls
Pool A: Nairobi, Western, Eastern, Nyanza
Pool B: Rift Valley, North Eastern, Coast, Central
Handball Boys
Pool A: Eastern, North Eastern, Nairobi, Central
Pool B: Western, Rift Valley, Nyanza, Coast
Basketball Girls
Pool A: Nairobi, North Eastern, Western, Rift Valley
Pool B: Eastern, Nyanza, Coast, Central
Basketball Boys
Pool A: Coast, Nairobi, Eastern, Rift Valley
Pool B: Western, Nyanza, Central, North Eastern
Rugby 15s
Pool A: Nyanza 1, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi
Pool B: Nyanza 2, Rift Valley, Western, Central