Debutants Bokoli handed tough draw for in Western Region rugby games

Friends School Bokoli team during the Bungoma County championships/HANDOUT

Debutants Friends School Bokoli have been handed a daunting draw ahead of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Western Region Term One Games set for March 18–21 at Chavakali High School in Vihiga County.

Bokoli, coached by Eliud Okwemba, will face formidable opposition in Pool B, including former Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) champions Kakamega High School, Butula and Senende.

Pool A features defending national champions Vihiga High, FEASSSA Sevens champions St Peter’s Mumias and St Paul’s Amakura.

Coach Okwemba said that, as debutants, Bokoli are approaching the tournament with modest expectations. “I don’t want to promise a lot. Being our first time, we want to show up,” said Okwemba, a former coach of East African champions Koyonzo.

“We are in a tough pool against regulars at the regional and national levels, like Butula and Kakamega High. It’s a tough pool, but we are ready for the baptism of fire,” he added.

Okwemba noted that the level of competition at the regional stage will be intense but expressed confidence in his team’s preparations. “We have had good preparations, and the boys will give their best,” he remarked.

Bokoli qualified for the regional showpiece after finishing runners-up in the Bungoma County finals, where they lost 17–6 to Bungoma High School. “It was our first time to play at the county finals. Bungoma were better prepared, bigger and physically stronger. However, we matched them tactically,” Okwemba noted.

Butula coach Bonfotra Alumasa declared that his side is eager to reclaim the regional and national titles they won in 2024. “The pools for the Western region are tough. All the heavyweights will be in Chavakali. As Butula Boys, our approach will be one game at a time,” said Alumasa.

Butula Boys High School is returning to rugby 15s after serving a one-year ban for fielding an ineligible player during the 2024 FEASSSA. 

Traditional powerhouses Kakamega High, Vihiga, St Peter’s Mumias, Butula nd Bungoma High are among the favourites to clinch the Western Region title. Kakamega High, popularly known as the Barbarians, recently edged St Peter’s Mumias 5–3 in a tightly contested final to win the Kakamega County crown.