Hosts Kenya harvested more medalson Thursday as curtains fell on the 2025 Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association games in Kakamega.
Song and dance rent the air at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology as Kenyan sports enthusiasts celebrated victories in volleyball and handball.
Cheptil High School and Kwanthanze Secondary School triumphed in their respective finals to reclaim volleyball trophies.
Even so, it was St Luke’s Kimilili and Moi Girls Kamusinga’s conquests in handball that saw Kenyans burst into song and dance as the duo ended Kenya’s six-year wait to recapture the regional gongs.
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In a battle akin to the bible’s David and Goliath story, Kimilili edged out a star-studded Adegi from Rwanda 31-30 to recapture the title they had last won in 2016.
Moi Girls Kamusinga laboured to a 26-25 win against Mbogo High School from Uganda to also recapture the title they won when Kenya hosted the games in Eldoret.
With Kenyans rallying behind them, the homeboys put up a brave fight against the Rwandese side comprising of national team players that have featured for the country in several international competitions.
Kimilili fought from start to finish taking a 14-12 half-time lead. They would intensify their fight in the second half even as the more experienced Rwand side engaged them on a see-saw battle. The Kenyans held their nerve to outlast Adegi who were looking to extend their reign and secure their third East Africa gong.
Kimilili coach Fernweck Opicho was over the moon saying their hours of hard work and dedication had finally paid off. “It has taken us years to get it right and I’m glad that our efforts finally paid off,” Opicho said.
Highway Secondary School and St Joseph’s Girls High School Kitale won their third-place play-off matches to take bronze medals. Highway beat Uganda’s Bombo Army Secondary School 28-26 while St Joseph’s humbled Kawanda Secondary School also from Uganda 25-13.
After eliminating last year’s winners LT St Luc from Burundi in the semis, Cheptil put up a spirited fight against Uganda’s Namugongo Vocational College to recapture the title that Friends Secondary School Namwela had won in 2023.
They edged out a hard fighting Mamugongo 3-2 (25-21, 23-25, 17-25, 25-21, 15-9) to bag their fourth East Africa gong. TL St Luc settled for bronze after beating Uganda’s Bukedea Comprehensive in straight sets.
In the girls contest, record winners Kwanthanze defeated compatriots Kesogon to snatch the bragging rights. Kesogon who had dethroned Kwanthanze last year settled in the match first to win the first set 25-23.
However, determined to prove that they are still the queens of volleyball in the region, Kwanthanze recovered to dethrone Kesogon with a 25-22, 25-13 and 25-18 victory.
Bishop Sulumeti rallied from a set down to overpower East Africa regulars Soweto Academy 3-1(24-26, 25-14, 25-18, 30-28) to complete the podium.