The highly anticipated showdown between Kakamega High School and Musingu Boys High School in the Kakamega County Secondary School Football Championship has been cancelled after the former declined to field a team.
The rematch, scheduled for July 6, 2025, was to determine the second and third positions following a controversial ruling by the county education office.
However, Kakamega High, through Head Coach Samuel Oindo, insisted they had not received formal communication and were awaiting a decision from the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Supreme Jury regarding their appeal.
“We contested the ruling based on Article 14(e) of the KSSSA Constitution concerning player eligibility. We appealed, and until the Supreme Jury rules, we won’t play,” Oindo stated.
The controversy follows a Ministry of Education circular declaring that both schools fielded ineligible players. Consequently, Musingu was stripped of their county title, Kakamega demoted from third place, and a rematch ordered.
However, Kakamega officials argue that no formal appeal was filed against them by Musingu and insist all their players are verified Form Four students as per Kenya National Examinations Council records.
Games Master Amos Wamanga condemned the decision, terming it unconstitutional.
“The rules clearly state disqualification, not a rematch, for ineligible players,” he said, comparing the dispute to the biblical story of two women fighting over a child.
The school’s alumni have also protested the ruling, calling it unjust and questioning the integrity of the process.
Meanwhile, Musingu coach Josiah Mwinamo has defended the jury's decision, stating that Kakamega failed to provide sufficient evidence.
With the rematch canceled, the standoff remains unresolved as the football community awaits the Supreme Jury’s verdict.