2024 KSSSA: Champions dethroned as rural schools shine
Teams from the rural counties shone brightly during the close of the 2024 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) on Saturday, April 13, at Machakos High School and Machakos University venues, respectively.
Incidentally, no single team defended their title in rugby, handball, basketball, or hockey events as new champions or previously dethroned winners reemerged.
In the Rugby 15s finals, All Saints of Embu ensured they were third-time lucky with a close 12-10 victory over previously defending champions Butula High School of Bungoma County. The duel played on a soggy pitch saw Butula take a deserved 10-2 lead during the break with two well-worked tries, but no conversion was successful in the process.
However, the tide changed after the break with points in the bag for the Eastern region outfit as they capitalized on some bad decision-making from the opponents to score penalty points. The game itself was well fought throughout but was brutal with tackles, especially in the forward lines and packs. 
In boys basketball, there is a new holder after coastal-based Dr. Aggrey School got the better of Agoro Sare High School of Nyanza 56-54 in what was a sweet revenge off-pool match 72 hours ago where the Nyanza side had won 54-53.
The duel saw Agoro Sare lead for two quarters before the tide changed, with the Taita Taveta County side deploying a more aggressive style with more running involved.
In the ladies' basketball title contest, Butere retained their title for a third consecutive time in a 48-41 victory over Buruburu Girls in a tense and emotive match. The fast-paced game had brilliant individual moments from both sets of teams as coaches down the touchline shouted instructions to their players. At the end of it all, it was all about margins, with Butere earning solid revenge.
At the same time, in the handball championship, Moi Girls Kamusinga dethroned Kwathanze 24–13 in another epic battle. The two teams met in the pool stage, with Kwathanze of Eastern winning by a slim margin before a regrouped Kamusinga won the most important match.
Coach Godfrey Simiyu said that his team knew areas of focus and thereby executed the plan impeccably well. The much-travelled coach knew how to get the best out of his side and was not surprised by the final outcome.
"We did our homework against Kwathanze because we played them before. I am glad our mission came to full fruition. The opponents are known giants in the sport, but to be honest, they faced a totally different side of us.
"Our attack and defense were well coordinated, and we showed our hunger all across, I would like to congratulate my players for their input. Our target is to work well and represent Kenya well at the East African Games," Simiyu said. 
In other results, Kimilili School from Bungoma County retrieved the title from defending champions Hospital Hill High School 20-15 in the boys category during the finals in a solid match witnessed by hundreds. In the Hockey Championships, Tigoi Girls and Musingu School from the Western region took the top spots.
