Multiple national champions Butere Girls made an emphatic start to their campaign at the 2026 Western Region Secondary Schools Games after defeating Brenda Girls 3-0 in their opening football match played at the Kanduyi stadium in Bungoma County yesterday.
While last year national runner up Musingu Boys were held by Kibabii Boys at the same venue.
Coming from Kakamega County, Butere silenced home fans with dribbling and creative skills that led their dominance in the contest from the opening whistle, producing a clinical attacking display to secure all three points and strengthen their bid for a place in the knockout stages.
Mercy Adhiambo opened the scoring in the 14th minute as they led into the break with 1-0. Adhiambo’s long range shot, beat Brenda’s keeper after bouncing in the 18 yard box to roll above her head into the net.
On resumption, Farine Christine doubled the score in the 45th minute in the 35 minute in each half before Nadia Akinyi sealing the victory in 63rd minute.
Christine headed in the second after connecting from the corner kick to make it 2-0 while Akinyi’s long right foot shot slipped from the hands of a substitute goalkeeper into the net for 3-0 at the final whistle.
In the boys opening fixtures at the same venue, Musingu High School and Kibabii Boys shared the spoils after playing out a 1-1 draw in a closely contested encounter.
Both sides created scoring opportunities throughout the match but settled for a point apiece after an evenly balanced affair.
Glory Maina handed Kibabii the lead after converting from the spot kick before Ian Simiyu leveled the score to 1-1 from a long range foul, shooting direct into the goal.
The opening day’s results set the stage for an exciting battle as schools from across the Western Region compete for qualification to the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term Two Games.
The regional championships, being hosted in Bungoma County from July 8 to July 11, have brought together the best secondary school teams in football, volleyball, netball, rugby sevens and basketball 3×3, with winners earning the right to represent the region at the national finals.