Reprieve for Onjiko High School football team as court lifts ban

Onjiko High School football team has got a major reprieve after a three-year ban slapped on the team by Kisumu Secondary Schools Sports Association [KSSSA] for allegedly fielding ineligible players was rescinded following a consent reached by the parties at the Sports Disputes Tribunal.

The ban was imposed in June 2025 by the KSSSA following investigations that alleged the school had breached the school sports body constitution by fielding ineligible players during the 2025 games.

Subsequently Fredrick Otieno Okiri, a parent at Onjiko High School moved to court to challenge the matter.

This lifting of the ban means the school is now free to participate in the school games competitions organised by the Ministry of Education.

‘’Demonstrating the effectiveness of the alternative dispute resolution mechanism, the Sports Dispute Tribunal encouraged both parties to explore peaceful resolution under section 59 of the Sports Act.''

 ''This approach proved highly successful as both the Kisumu County Secondary Schools Sports Association and the County Director of Education entered into constructive dialogue with the claimant’s representatives from Lugano and Achura Advocates,’’ the press release read in part.

In the meantime, Onjiko Boys High School has committed to ensuring full compliance with KCSSSA in future championships, especially regarding player eligibility.

The court noted that the resolution has served as an example of how disputes can be resolved through dialogue which ultimately serves the best interests of young sportsmen and the sporting fraternity at large.