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.
Among the counties that will participate in games include Marsabit, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Embu, Machakos, Kitui and the host Makueni, whose teams will compete in 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. The games also will be played at Kambi Mawe Secondary and Kambi Mawe primary Schools respectively.
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 the coaches for mentoring and nurturing talent of the students, Mutula said it was imperative to support the children to identify their talent, when they are still 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 when students play in different games, it helps them to relieve stress and prevents them from involving themselves in activities that impact negatively on their education and the school.
Addressing the same function, Deputy Regional Director of Education Samwel Boto said that the games were kind of celebration that brings about peace and unity, where different students 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 in nurturing talent and offering mentorship to the students.
Others present during the function included the County Executive Committee Member for Sports Eng. Sabastian Kyoni and his Counterpart for Devolution Nicolas Nzioka, Makueni Director of Education Lydia Mutegi, Teachers Service Commission Director John Paul, the eastern region Sports officials and those from the county among others.
By Patrick Nyakundi
