As the 23rd Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games begin in Morogoro, Tanzania tomorrow, Kenya will be aiming to defend the eight titles it won in Kakamega last year.

The Kenyan delegation was expected in Morogoro last night for the championships, which are planned to run through to August 23.

Morogoro city, 196 kilometres west of Dar es Salaam, is set to welcome over 4,000 students from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, who will compete for regional supremacy.

Due to reduced funding from the Ministry of Education, the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) reduced the number of representatives.

In disciplines where Kenya are defending champions, Kenya selected the top three schools from the Term One national championships held in Kisumu in April, as well as the top teams from the Term Two games held in Thika last week. In all other disciplines, only the top two schools will travel.

KSSSA Secretary General David Ngugi was optimistic saying the teams are eager to achieve good results for Kenya.

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“There are many new teams, but they carry an old responsibility. The jersey says Kenya. That means defending what was won before,” he said.

Kakamega High School players celebrate with the boys' football trophy that they won in the final of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Term Two national games at M-Pesa Foundation Academy, Kiambu County on August 6, 2026.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

Kenya’s title defence list features both new and familiar names. In the boys’ rugby 15s, the defending champions are Kisii High, who finished second in Kisumu in April behind Upperhill.

They will lead the charge alongside Upperhill and St Mary’s Yala. Kisii will be under pressure to reclaim the crown they won at home last year after beating All Saints Embu 11–6.

In the boys Rugby 7s, Kenya will be represented by Butula Boys, Cardinal Otunga Mosocho and Bokoli Boys. This is after 2025 winners, St Peter’s Mumias, failing to qualify for this year’s event.

In girls’ hockey, St Joseph’s Girls (JOGA) will be aiming to win their third consecutive regional title. JOGA won the title in Mbale, Uganda, in 2024, and defended it in Kakamega last year.

In Kakamega, they beat Tigoi Girls 3-2 to win their second hockey crown. They will be joined by Nyamira Girls and Ng’iya Girls in their efforts to keep the title in Kenya. JOGA coach John Lusaka said the team’s goal in Morogoro is to make history.

In the girls’ handball, champions Moi Girls Kamusinga, have qualified again after beating St Joseph’s Girls 24–18, and will be joined in the campaign by JOGA and Nyakach Girls.

In boys’ handball, defending champions St Luke’s Kimilili Boys missed the cut after being eliminated by Musingu Boys 20–15. Musingu, St Joseph’s Boys and Matuu Boys have taken their place.

Also Read: Kakamega High, St Joseph’s Girls rule football as Butula top rugby in national games

Rugby — Upper Hill School’s Victor Ochieng goes for a try as Michael Ochieng of Anjego Mixed Secondary School defends his line during a boys’ sevens rugby match at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Term Two national games at M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Kiambu County on August 3, 2026.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

In the girls’ 3x3 basketball contest, last year’s winners, Ng’iya Girls, failed to qualify. Kenya will now be represented by Ikutha Girls, Cheptil High and JOGA.

Defending champions in boys’ volleyball, Cheptil High, also missed out. The duty of defending the title won in Kakamega now falls to Chesamis Boys, Chepsaita High and Matiliku High.

In the girls’ volleyball, Kwanthanze High, the champions, also failed to reach Morogoro after being eliminated in the semi-finals by Kesogon High, losing 3-0. Kwanthanze then lost 3-1 to Mwitoti High in the play-offs for third place. Kesogon, Soweto Academy and Mwitoti Girls will represent Kenya and attempt to defend a title that Kwanthanze dominated for over a decade.

In boys’ football, record KSSSA champions Kakamega School and St Mary’s Yala will seek to wrest the title from Ugandans. Meanwhile, Nyakach Girls and JOGA will represent Kenya in the girls’ category.

In boys 15-a-side rugby, Upperhill vs Kisii rivalry will be renewed on the regional stage. In the Team One national games in Kisumu in April, Upperhill beat Kisii School 11–6.

Rugby — Upper Hill School’s Victor Ochieng goes for a try as Michael Ochieng of Anjego Mixed Secondary School defends his line during a boys’ sevens rugby match at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Term Two national games at M-Pesa Foundation Academy in Kiambu County on August 3, 2026.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group

In girls volleyball, Kesogon and Soweto Academy have been tasked with filling the gap left by Kwanthanze.

Beyond medals, FEASSSA remains a scouting ground. University coaches and scouts are already in Morogoro searching for talent.

Several players from last year’s championships have since turned professional. These include Philip Aroko, formerly of Highway Secondary School in Nairobi, who joined the Kenyan Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks before signing for a European club.

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