Makueni: The Eastern Region Term Two Ball Games kicked off at the Makueni Boys High School, where different secondary schools from 8 counties will compete for a place to participate in the national games, scheduled for August 2026 in Thika Town.
According to Kenya News Agency, among the counties that will participate in the games include Marsabit, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Embu, Machakos, Kitui, and the host Makueni. Teams from these counties will compete in various sports, including soccer, basketball 3 on 3, Rugby 7’s, volleyball, netball, scrabble, chess, baseball cricket, and racket games.
The games will run from Thursday 9th to Saturday 12th July 2026 and will also be played at Kambi Mawe Secondary and Kambi Mawe Primary Schools. Speaking at the event Thursday, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr challenged the students to use the opportunity to showcase their talent in an effort to become famous like the international players they watch, including Kylian Mbappe, Christiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi.
While thanking the teachers and coaches for mentoring and nurturing the talent of the students, Mutula emphasized the importance of supporting children to identify their talent when they are young so that they can earn a living in the future. ‘Each one of you seated here can be one of those international players that you enjoy watching. If you follow the history of these people I have mentioned, you will find their talent was identified when they were young,’ said Mutula, when he officially opened the ball games at Makueni Boys High School, Makueni Sub county.
‘I want to give morale to you students, it doesn’t matter where you come from. It can be Marsabit or Isiolo, Kenya will notice you,’ he added. Mutula noted that playing different games helps students relieve stress and prevents them from engaging in activities that negatively impact their education and the school.
Addressing the same function, Deputy Regional Director of Education Samwel Boto said that the games were a celebration bringing about peace and unity, allowing different students to interact and bond together. Boto challenged the officials presiding over the games to exercise fairness to ensure the best team wins. He also thanked the teachers and coaches for their commitment to nurturing talent and offering mentorship to the students.
Others present during the function included the County Executive Committee Member for Sports Eng. Sabastian Kyoni, his counterpart for Devolution Nicolas Nzioka, Makueni Director of Education Lydia Mutegi, Teachers Service Commission Director John Paul, eastern region sports officials, and those from the county, among others.
