KAKAMEGA, Kenya – The Musingu High School football team, known as ‘The Scorpions,’ is at risk of being banned after allegations surfaced that they poached nine players from Kakamega School’s football team, the ‘Green Commandos.’ The Green Commandos, twelve-time national champions, have accused The Scorpions of violating the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) rules by fielding four of these players.
Dr. Julius Mambili, Principal of Kakamega School, has petitioned the Kakamega County Chairman of KSSSA for the second time, citing the unofficial transfer of the nine players. According to Dr. Mambili, no transfer forms were signed as required by the Education Act of 2013. He also highlighted the violation of transfer rules, which limit the number of students joining a school team from another school to two.
KSSSA’s constitution specifies in clause 11(g) vi N/B 6 on Eligibility of Participation: “Students transferring from one school team to another school team shall not exceed two (2); if more than two, then all will not be eligible to play for a period of one year.”
Dr. Mambili’s letter, copied to the National Chair, Western Regional Chair, and Secretary of KSSSA, details that four of the nine players already participated in matches for Musingu. These players—Houston, Melon, Braxton, and Ronny Ochieng—played in the Kakamega South Sub-County games, helping Musingu secure victories against Bushangala (2-0) and Lusui (1-0) to earn a spot in the upcoming Kakamega County Secondary School Games in Mumias from June 19-22, 2024.
Both Kakamega and Musingu schools have won their respective sub-county KSSSA games and are in the same group for the county games, alongside Chebuyusi. The finalists from the 14 participating schools will advance to the Western regional games, competing for a slot to represent the region at the national KSSSA games in Kisii in August.
The nine students at the center of the controversy are:
- Walter Astone
- Braxton Ouma Onyango
- Emmanuel Ely Marcus
- Ronny Ochieng Otieno
- Jeremiah Ombonga Omari
- Stanley Melon Otieno
- Samson Kibaki Juma
- Houston Oluoch Onyango
- Maxwel Onyango Owiino
If Musingu is found guilty of breaching KSSSA rules, they could face a two-year ban. The outcome of this issue is eagerly awaited by many in the school sports community.
Kenya Secondary School Sports Association ~ Kakamega County Pooling 2024
Soccer Boys:
- Pool A: Mtoni Sec, Emanani, St. Joseph’s Mumias, Butere Boys
- Pool B: Musingu, Chebuyusi, Kakamega School
- Pool C: Munyuki SS, Lwandeti DEB, Lugusi, Eshibinga Sec
- Pool D: Khaimba, St. Peter’s Mumias, Shanderema
Soccer Girls:
- Pool A: Marukusi, St. Stephen’s Lwanda, ABN, Mukumu Girls
- Pool B: Kimang’eti Girls, Ahong’injo Sec, Mwira
- Pool C: St. Mary’s Mumias, Kilimo Girls, Butere Girls, Sivilie
- Pool D: Musoli Girls, Mulwanda Sec, Mwitoti
The controversy surrounding Musingu’s potential ban adds a layer of tension to the upcoming county games, as teams vie for the chance to compete at the national level.