Kenya Secondary schools games past action.[Photo/kenyaplex]
Jitters that have greeted the recent move by the Ministry of Education to transfer secondary school principals have also crept into sports.
The issue is giving sleepless nights to schools that have been shining in co-curricular activities as a result of massive influence from their head teachers and as the 2018 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term One Games draws to a close, the anxiety among those affected cannot be gainsaid.
Twelve-time national football boys champions Kakamega High School otherwise known as Green Commandos are among those in limbo regarding how they will cope without their leaders after long-serving principal Oliver Minishi was transferred to Nanyuki Boys.
Minishi has been the force behind Kakamega’s enviable success in football, rugby as well as drama and music festivals with the institution making history by qualifying to play in this season’s FKF National Super League, the second tier in Kenya.
Under Minishi, Kakamega dominated not only in academics but also co-curricular activities for over a decade in Kenya and the region.
Nevertheless, Kakamega rugby 15s and football coaches Amos Wamanga and Brendan Mwinamo believe they will still remain a force to be reckoned with despite the change of guard that brought an end to Minishi’s 12-year reign. “We will miss him but that does not mean Kakamega will cease being what it is.
Our new principal has equally pledged his support for all school teams and he will be equal to the challenge,” said Wamanga. In Nairobi, Upper Hill High, whose change came a little earlier, will be watched keenly this year in the wake of Peter Orero’s exit, the man who was at the center of every discipline they excelled in.
Upper Hill has been a force in rugby, basketball, hockey, and football. The focus will also be on volleyball giants Malava Boys, who have lost Daniel Mwachi to Vihiga Boys.