School Games: Who will be crowned new rugby 15s king?

The stage is set for a new chapter in Kenyan school rugby as the 2026 KSSSA Term One National Games kick off in Kisumu, with the boys’ rugby 15s title up for grabs following the absence of defending champions Vihiga High School.

For the first time in recent years, the competition arrives without its reigning kings, creating a wide-open contest that blends history, ambition, and emerging rivalries.

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At the heart of this year’s narrative is Kisii School, the reigning East African (FEASSA) champions and 2025 national silver medalists.

Kisii came agonizingly close last year, falling 14–6 to Vihiga in the final at Shimo La Tewa High School.

However, they bounced back on the regional stage, defeating All Saints Embu 11–6 to lift the FEASSA crown in Kakamega, proof of their pedigree at the highest level.

Now, they return to the nationals with one clear objective: securing their first-ever KSSSA national rugby 15s title.

The 2026 poolings promise tightly contested fixtures from the outset.

Pool A brings together St Mary’s Yala from Nyanza, Kwale High from Coast, All Saints Embu from Eastern, and Upper Hill from Nairobi in what shapes up as a balanced group with multiple experienced sides.

Pool B, on the other hand, carries significant weight, featuring Kisii School alongside Menengai High from Rift Valley, Western champions Bungoma High, and Mang’u High from Central.

The group stands out as one of the most competitive, with little margin for error.

With Vihiga High missing out after failing to defend their regional crown, Bungoma High School steps in as Western Region’s flagbearer. Bungoma’s run to the regional title, culminating in a 12–7 victory over Kakamega High, signals a team capable of challenging at the national level, although they now face a stern test against seasoned opponents.

The KSSSA rugby 15s title carries a rich legacy, dominated over the years by some of Kenya’s most storied school rugby institutions.

From the early dominance of St Mary’s School Yala, Lenana School, and Nakuru High School to the modern-era success of Kakamega High School, the competition has consistently produced elite programs.

Kakamega High in particular stamped its authority across the 2010s, while schools like Upper Hill, Mang’u High School, and Laiser Hill have also etched their names into the history books.

In recent years, however, the landscape has shifted, with new champions emerging. Butula Boys claimed the title in 2023, All Saints Embu followed in 2024, and Vihiga High lifted the crown in 2025.

The trend points to a more competitive and unpredictable era, where multiple teams have the capacity to rise to the top.

Beyond Kisii and Bungoma, several teams arrive in Kisumu with strong credentials.

All Saints Embu return as recent champions and FEASSA finalists, bringing both experience and structure.

Upper Hill, champions in 2018, remain a disciplined and tactically sound side, while Mang’u High carries its own legacy and competitive edge. St Mary’s Yala, one of the traditional powerhouses, also adds historical weight to the contest.

The absence of Vihiga High has fundamentally altered the competitive dynamics, removing a dominant force and opening the door for a new champion.

For Kisii School, the opportunity is clear: to convert consistency into history. For Bungoma High, it is a chance to establish themselves nationally. For others, it is an opportunity to reclaim past glory.

As with all KSSSA competitions, the rugby 15s tournament remains a critical development platform, with many players using it as a springboard into club rugby, national youth teams, and professional pathways. With Kisumu hosting and national pride at stake, the intensity is expected to match the occasion.

As teams finalize preparations and fans gather in Kisumu, anticipation continues to build around one central question; who will be crowned the 2026 KSSSA Rugby 15s champions?