The drums of war are beating. From the rift valley highlands to the coastal plains, Kenya’s secondary school giants are sharpening their claws for the ultimate showdown: the journey to the East Africa School Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.

It is not just a game; it is a rite of passage. As the 2026 Term One games kick off, the air is thick with the smell of rivalry and revenge. Last year’s champions are walking with targets on their backs, knowing that in the brutal arena of Kenyan school sports, reputation counts for nothing once the whistle blows. The spotlight falls heavily on St Joseph’s, the boys’ football kings, who are desperate to break the "one-hit wonder" curse that has plagued national champions since 2002.

“We are not going to Morogoro to visit,” a St Joseph’s technical bench official was overheard saying. “We are going to conquer. Again.” But the road is treacherous, paved with hungry challengers who have spent the last twelve months plotting their downfall.

The Heavyweights Return

In the volleyball courts, a familiar dominance asserts itself. Cheptil High School and Kwanthanze Secondary are not just teams; they are institutions. Having conquered both Kenya and East Africa last year, they enter this season as the undisputed leviathans of the net. Yet, complacency is the enemy. Sources indicate that rival schools have been scouting their training camps, looking for chinks in the armor of these volleyball dynasties.

• Rugby 7s Warfare: St Peter’s Mumias, the Kakamega heavyweights, are gunning for a double defense of their national and regional titles. Their physicality is unmatched, but can they maintain the pace?
• New Battlefronts: The stakes have been raised with the inclusion of Junior Secondary School (JSS) learners, expanding the battlefield to include younger, hungrier talent in chess and scrabble.

The Morogoro Dream

For every student athlete, the ultimate dream is the ticket to Morogoro. Representing Kenya in Tanzania is not just about medals; it is about national pride. But first, they must survive the county and regional qualifiers, which are often more grueling than the finals themselves. The narrative this year is clear: will the old guard hold the fort, or will a new generation of giant-killers rise from the dust of the village pitches?

Let the games begin. The crown is heavy, and only the strongest necks can bear it.