Trans Nzoia County netball teams have dominated the term two national games held in Nairobi.
The teams, nurtured by the Netball Mashinani Tujengane Initiative, scooped gold and were declared reigning champions.
The teams include Anderson Senior School, Kisawai Boys, and Sarura Boys Primary, all of which were gold medal winners in the national competitions. At the same time, Kiswai Junior Girls and Kitale Ndogo Primary secured silver and bronze, respectively.
Celebrating historic milestone
Celebrating the historical milestone, Netball Mashinani Tujengane Initiative President Patricia Melissa could not hide her joy, as all the winning teams came from her annual netball tournament in Trans Nzoia.
She termed the win a great milestone for the initiative, after Sarura Boys Primary School won the only gold in 2025 at the national level.
“This is an achievement. Netball Mashinani has delivered. This is so big. In 205, we had one gold. All these thanks to Netball Mashinani Tujengane Initiative!” Melissa proudly stated.
Dominance from zonal to national levels
The teams maintained their winning streak from zonal, county, and regional levels. According to Melissa, all the netball teams from the county are from her nest.
The teams, both from junior and senior schools, dominated the regional games, with Anderson, Kisawai Junior Boys and Girls, Kitale Ndogo Netball Girls, and Sarura Primary Boys being the regional champions.
She noted that the enthusiasm from the teams comes from her annual tournament, which has so far had four editions.
The tournament attracted participants from Siaya, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, and Bungoma counties, a reflection of its impact and the efforts to revive it.
Call for support and resources
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) women representative, however, called for support and resources to be pumped into the initiative, as its results are evident.
Melissa said that netball has potential, and the county teams are well supported, calling on well-wishers, the county and national governments to support her initiative to empower more people, as the tournament also includes young mothers and women in rural communities.
“We have organised four Mashinani Tujengane Initiative Tournaments successfully, and the results are evident. If we are supported, we have the potential, and we will be able to scope everything,” she argued.
Meeting the team after their successful run, Saboti Constituency MP hopeful Julius Sabila congratulated the teams, pledging his support to his home team and reigning champions, Kisawai Junior Secondary Boys, and silver winners, the girls, to continue nurturing their talent even as they eye international platforms.
“I’m so proud of the team. That was a high-pitched performance. As a home team, we will work together with the teachers to ensure that the team progressing to East Africa is smooth,” Sabila commended the team.
The school principal, Joan Mugo, noted that despite good performance for years, the team has not received any recognition from leaders like their counterparts in football.
She called on residents of Saboti Constituency to elect leaders who champion grassroots talent development, as Sabila selflessly did to watch all the matches.
The team’s coach, Romanus Kibet, echoed Mugo’s sentiments on Sabila dedicating his time to watch a netball match, despite low coverage of the games.
He echoed earlier calls by Melissa on support for netball teams in Trans Nzoia.
“This is an honour for our team that has been participating for a while with no recognition to be honoured by your attendance. We are more than grateful,” Kibet expressed his gratitude.
Trans Nzoia dominates KSSA games
The county further shone in other games at the senior level, producing champions in various ball games. St. Joseph’s Girls National School are the national football champions after edging Nyakach Girls, Nyanza champions, in the finals.
The girls, along with St. Joseph’s Boys National School, are the national champions in Lawn Tennis, as well as Lacrosse champions.
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