Universities across the country are increasingly asserting their strength in sports and talent development.
This was evident during the 10th edition of the Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) National Games, which concluded on Friday at the University of Eldoret.
The highly competitive championship brought together 21 universities, underlining the growing investment by institutions in nurturing sporting excellence alongside academics.
United States International University–Africa (USIU-Africa) emerged top overall with 24 gold, 13 silver and 21 bronze medals, while Kenyatta University followed closely in second place after collecting 23 gold, 22 silver and 26 bronze medals.
Mount Kenya University (MKU) finished third with an impressive haul of 21 gold, 25 silver and 26 bronze medals.
MKU’s campaign was defined by the emergence of youthful talent, particularly in karate, where a largely inexperienced team, many drawn from the September 2025 intake, made their debut on the national stage with commendable results.
The woodball team stood out as the university’s most successful outfit, with young players stepping up to fill the void left by senior athletes who had graduated shortly before the games.
Their seamless transition highlighted the depth of talent being cultivated within the institution.
Other MKU teams that contributed significantly to the medal tally included swimming, taekwondo (men and women), tennis, badminton, table tennis, darts and athletics.
Beyond performance, universities used the games to project strong branding and institutional commitment to sports.
MKU Sports, Film, Creative and Performing Arts Coordinator William Luta said the championships demonstrated how universities are deliberately strengthening systems to identify and support talent early.
He noted that the intense competition this year reflected the high standards across institutions, adding that MKU would address gaps in facilities and exposure ahead of the 2026 season.
Luta said the investment in sports has nurtured talent among students, positioning them to be competitive in the sporting industry.
He noted that with the joblessness crisis in the country, graduates use opportunities in talent and sports to earn.
“That’s why most institutions of higher learning have tightened their grip on talent development, investing heavily in sports as a key pillar of holistic education and national talent development.
We always push students towards remaining competitive in talent and sporting activities given the many opportunities that lie therein,” Luta said.
By Muoki Charles
