Kisii School targets triple titles in the 2026 secondary schools rugby season

FEASSA rugby 15s champions Kisii School have set ambitious targets for the 2026 season, with their sights firmly fixed on domestic and regional dominance.

Head coach Edwin Morara says the immediate priority is defending the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Nyanza Regional title for a fourth consecutive year — a run that has already reshaped the region’s rugby landscape.

“We want to retain the county title and continue our dominance in Nyanza,” Morara said. “It will not be easy, but as Kisii School, we are prepared for the challenge.”

Over the last three years, Kisii School have established itself as the benchmark in Nyanza rugby 15s, ending the long-standing dominance of St Mary’s School, Yala, and Maseno School.

This year’s regional championships will be staged at Kisumu School from March 17 to 21. Beyond the region, Kisii are also targeting the national crown when the KSSSA national championships take place in Kisumu from April 5 to 13.

The motivation is clear after last season’s narrow setback, when they lost 14-6 to Vihiga Boys in the national final held at Shimo la Tewa School in Mombasa.

“Kisii School is a rugby powerhouse in Kenya,” Morara said. “We want to extend that dominance beyond the country by retaining the FEASSA title in Tanzania.”

The school lifted the FEASSA trophy last year in Kakamega after edging out All Saints Embu 11-6 in a tense final.

Preparations for the season have been boosted by success at the annual Kisii School Open Tournament, where the hosts, captained by Collins Mekenye, retained the rugby 15s title with a convincing 24-0 win over Friends School, Poroko of Narok County. Morara said the tournament provided valuable lessons despite the positive outcome.

“It helped us identify a few gaps,” he said. “Our defensive structure and fitness levels posed some challenges, but the positives outweighed the gaps. We have enough time to fine-tune those areas before the KSSSA championships.”

He also praised the tournament’s organisation and competitiveness. “The Kisii School Open Tournament was a resounding success. We are grateful to the teams that turned up. It was a perfect curtain-raiser for the season.”

During the championships, Nyabisase Mixed lifted the girls’ rugby 15s title after victories over Kereri Girls and Borangi SDA.

In volleyball, Kaplong Boys stunned Kisii County champions Mobamba High 3-1 (25-17, 25-22, 23-25, 25-15) to claim the boys’ title, while Kisii University won the girls’ volleyball crown after defeating Itierio Girls in straight sets (25-21, 25-22, 25-22).

The boys’ handball title remained in-house, with Kisii School ‘A’ beating Kisii School ‘B’ 19-13. In the girls’ category, Guu overcame former Nyanza powerhouses Miranga 21-6.

Kaplong Boys also lifted the boys’ football title with a comfortable 2-0 victory, while St Joseph’s Rapogi High edged Net Rippers 29-28 to claim the boys’ basketball trophy.