The Term Two KSSSA championships in Kakamega County have been moved to a later date. The decision was communicated in a memo dated June 13, 2024 and was passed on by Kakamega County Director of Education Hellen Nyang’au. This is in contrast from an earlier schedule slated to start from June 17, 2024. According to the memo, the decision was arrived at because of unavoidable circumstances and new dates are to be communicated in due course.
Reasons for Postponement
The postponement comes amid recent allegations where a number of students had been transferred between schools with claims that nine students from Kakamega High School’s football team were poached by Musingu High School without proper transfer documentation. The case has put the spotlight on compliance with the Education Act 2013 and the KSSSA constitution, which is extremely strict in student transfers as a way of ensuring fairness and integrity in school sports.
Transfer Rules and Allegations
The constitution of KSSSA, section 11(g) VI N/B 6 on Eligibility of Participation reads, “Students transferring from one school team to another school team shall not exceed two; if more than two, then all shall not be eligible to play for a period of one year”. The alleged contravention by Musingu High School is probably what caused the postponement of the championships as the authorities seek to clear the situation.
Structure of the Championships
The KSSSA championships in Kakamega County comprise of big numbers of teams playing in different pools and categories.
Male Category Pools:
- Pool A: Motoni Secondary (Lukuyani), Emanini Secondary (Matungu), St. Joseph’s Mumias (Mumias West), Butere Boys (Butere).
- Pool B: Musingu High (Kakamega South), Chebuyusi Boys (Navakholo), Kakamega High (Kakamega Central) – noted as the most competitive pool.
- Pool C: Munyuki High (Lugari), Lwadeti DB (Matete), Lugusi (Kakamega North), Eshibinga Secondary (Khwisero).
- Pool D: Shanderema Boys (Kakamega East), Khaimba High (Mumias East), St. Peter’s Mumias (Mumias West).
Female Category Pools:
- Pool A: Muukusi Secondary (Matete), St. Stephen’s Lwanda (Likuyani), Arch Bishop Njenga (Lugari), Mukumu Girls (Kakamega East).
- Pool B: Kimang’eti Girls (Kakamega North), Ahong’injo Secondary (Mumias West), Mwira Secondary (Matungu).
- Pool C: St. Mary’s Mumias (Mumias West), Kilimo Central (Kakamega Central), Butere Girls (Butere), Sivilie Secondary (Navakholo).
- Pool D: Musoli Secondary (Kakamega South), Mlwanda (Khwisero), Mwitoti Secondary (Mumias East).
Impact and Next Steps
Postponement of Term Two KSSSA championships has various ramifications for participating schools and students who have been preparing for the event. A move that shows rules and regulations followed to the latter in school sports are what uphold the integrity.
Communication and Rescheduling
The same memo by the CDE spells out the urgency required for conveying information regarding the postponement to all concerned schools. It reassures that new dates for the county competitions will be circulated as soon as possible upon determination. This is the period within which the authorities will have sorted out issues of transfers and allowed fair play to the participating teams.