Despite the Kenyan national side consistently performing dismally, football remains the most favorite sport in Kenya. A majority of renowned local players who have made fortunes in the world of football were initially scouted during the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) championships.
In this article, Wok takes a look at the best boys’ schools with the best football side.
Kakamega High School
Popularly known as the ‘Green Commandos,’ Kakamega High School has been crowned the Kenyan champions 12 times. The school is the only institution which has a registered football club plying the NSL league.
The Green Commandos have an amazing history of football and were high flyers in the ’80s thanks to their coach Chris Makokha (RIP). Makokha was inspired by the Brazilian style of play and instilled great football skills to his players. It is said that the teacher of physics would penalize any player who lifted the ball unnecessarily. Additionally, Makokha wanted his players to maintain a maximum of two touches; reception and passing.
Among renowned players who schooled at Kakamega High School are Bonventure Maruti, Dennis Oliech, Joseph ‘Crouch’ Okumu and Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.Recently, the school has faced tough competition and was eliminated by minnows Mwitoti Mixed in the semifinals of Western region in 2022.
In 2023, the Green Commandos were stunned by a determined Musingu High School in the Western region semi-finals.
St Anthony’s Boys – Kitale
St. Anthony’s Boys from Trans-Nzoia have had great football teams over the years. Popularly known as ‘Solidarity Boys,’ the institution has won the national championship 6 times and have been crowned East African champions once.
Under former principal Cosmas Nabungolo, Solidarity Boys became a force to reckon with and also emerged as a hockey powerhouse. The school is proud to have mentored former Harambee Stars striker Dennis Mukaisi.
However, in 2022, the school lost in the finals of the Rift Valley region after going down to Kabarnet Boys High School in post match penalties.
Updated-2023
Head Coach Peter Mayoyo’s guidance propelled the school to remarkable heights, handing them a deserved sixth KSSSA crown.
They beat Dagoretti High School 2-0 in the finals of the KSSSA football that were played in front of thousands of football fans in Kakamega’s Bukhungu Stadium.
Dagoretti High School
The school is situated in Nairobi County and has made several appearances in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) championships. In 2019, they emerged runner-up and proceeded to the East African Championship. The side’s success is attributed to current Kibra MP Peter Orero who coached the team.
Update- 2023
Renowned for its exceptional football prowess, the school has solidified its reputation as one of the finest in the country.
Notably, they have secured several titles on the national stage, including the prestigious Nairobi Regional Football Championship.
Under the guidance of Joseph Makokha, the school’s football team reached the grand stage of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national football championship.
In the final match, they encountered the formidable St. Anthony’s Boys Kitale, ultimately securing the second position after a hard-fought battle that concluded with a 2-0 scoreline in favor of the latter.
Ebwali – Vihiga
Ebwali Secondary School from Vihiga County were crowned the KSSSA football champions in 2022. They achieved the fete in their second appearance in the national championships. In 2019, they emerged third. The team is coached by Francis Muhambe and were granted green light to represent Western region after the disqualification of Bukembe Boys from Bungoma.
Highway – Nairobi
Under the tutelage of coach Beldine Odemba, Highway Secondary School finished runners up in the 2022 Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) football tournament. However, they earned the tag of giant slayers when they beat St. Mary’s Kitende from Uganda. In the 2022 KSSSA finals, Highway lost to Ebwali from Vihiga.
Barding Boys – Siaya
Apart from St Anthony’s Boys Kitale, they are the only side which has won the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) football crown. Barding stunned St. Mary’s Kitende (Uganda) in 2016 in the finals played in Eldoret. They are the bitter rivals of Kisumu Day as far as the Nyanza bragging rights are concerned. Barding is coached by Wellington Moruai and failed to reach the national level in 2022.
Kisumu Day
Kisumu Day clinched the Nyanza region crown in 2022. They reached the semifinal of the national 2022 edition and were runner-up in 2014.
Kabarnet Boys
The school is located at the heart of Kabarnet town, next to town’s monument. They are won the Rift Valley region championship and reached the semifinals of the 2022 national championships. The side is coached by Reuben Sengech, who is also an alumnus.
Agoro Sare
Agoro Sare Secondary School, a public institution, is situated in Oyugis Town within the Karachuonyo Constituency of Homa Bay County, Nyanza Region, Kenya.
This distinguished establishment stands as an all-boys boarding secondary school.
While renowned for its academic prowess, Agoro Sare also claims eminence in the realm of football, establishing itself as a heavyweight among schools in this sporting domain.
In the recently concluded Secondary School Games hosted in Kakamega, Agoro Sare found themselves ousted by Dagoretti High School during a gripping penalty shootout, following a tense 1-1 draw at the close of regulation time.
Despite this valiant effort, the Nyanza-based institution fell short of clinching third place in the competition.
Such a feat would have secured them a direct berth in the forthcoming East Africa School Games set to unfold in Rwanda.
Regrettably, their aspirations were quelled by a resounding 5-1 defeat against the formidable Shanderema team.
