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It is all systems go in Kakamega County ahead of the schools national ball-games that kick off on Monday, August 7, 2023.

There was a beehive of activity in Kakamega town and its environs as participating teams from across the county arrived in readiness for the showpiece.

Schools that will be hosting the games will be releasing their students for the second term break this morning.

“We will be releasing our boys tomorrow (today) morning to give the participating teams a conducive environment,” said the Principal of St. Ignatius Mukumu Boys.

Organisers of the ball-games said they were not taking any chances and that they were out to make the competitions a success.

The Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association National Vice-Chairman Quinto Omusugu said preparations for the nationals were complete.

He said schools from across the country which had qualified to represent their respective regions started arriving in Kakamega on Saturday.

“The participating teams started trooping in on Saturday and Sunday. They are currently training in their various spaces while also acquainting themselves with the local environment,” said Omusugu.

He said the referees charged with officiating the various matches were, meanwhile, undergoing training from Saturday to today.

“The teams will take a rest tomorrow (today) as we prepare for the official kickoff on Tuesday,” the official said.

The competitions in soccer, volleyball, rugby, handball, tennis, hockey, among others, will be staged at the Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega High, St. Ignatius Mukumu Boys, St. Peter’s Seminary-Mukumu, Kakamega Approved School and Masinde Muliro University.

The five-day event has kicked up excitement in Kakamega as traders prepare to cash in on the high number of people that will be around.

“This event is very important to our county as it will contribute to the growth of our economy. I therefore assure the organisers of total security. We are a peaceful and hospitable people and I am certain that the participants will enjoy their stay here,” said Governor Fernandes Barasa.

This time, new faces are expected at the finals, especially from Nyanza and Western where Agoro Sare and Shanderema shocked traditional sides like Kisumu Day and Musingu.

Dagoretti will be carrying the mantle of Narobi after seeing off arch rivals Highway Secondary School and former national giants Serani are back representing the Coast region.