The County Assembly of Bungoma has been officially crowned the Overall National Champions of the 7th Edition of the County Assemblies Sports Association (CASA) Games winners for the second time running, solidifying its place at the apex of regional sports.
The historic week-long tournament, which attracted thousands of participants and visitors from all 47 counties, concluded with a memorable display of talent and solidarity and friendship at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu on Saturday.
Bungoma topped the national charts by securing the ultimate crown, proving their elite athletic consistency. This back-to-back triumph marks a historic milestone, as they defended the top spot, following their stellar championship performance at the 6th Edition of the CASA Games, held previously in Meru County. The hosts, Kisumu came second overall.
The absolute climax of the tournament shifted to the main arena, where the County Assembly of Trans Nzoia, narrowly defeated the host county, Kisumu, with a solitary 1-0 victory to claim the coveted national football championship title in CASA games.
In a fiercely contested match that kept the packed stadium on the edge of its seats at Mamboleo on Saturday, Trans Nzoia took structural control of the game, executing a tactical defensive strategy that frustrated the host team’s attacking line.
Trans Nzoia’s coaching staff praised the squad’s resilience, netting the definitive goal of the tournament and noting that the victory was a testament to meticulous preparation and a disciplined approach to dealing with the immense pressure of playing against a hostile home crowd.
The narrow loss meant Kisumu’s men’s football team took home the silver medal, contributing heavily to their overall standing.
Following the final tabulation of points from all the games played, Bungoma emerged as the undisputed national champions, with the host county, Kisumu, putting up an outstanding performance to claim the second position nationally out of the 47 participating county assemblies.
Beyond their football silver, Kisumu’s ladies’ tug-of-war team finished second after an intense, closely contested final pull, while their netball team scooped a bronze trophy by securing third place.
Kisumu men also asserted the prowess in indoor games category, taking first position in the Ajua board game and third position in Draughts.
The cultural and musical arenas also provided another rich harvest for the host county, as Kisumu proved to be a powerhouse in the vocal categories. The assembly’s choir captivated judges and spectators alike, clinching position one in the highly competitive Own Composition category and finishing second in the Set-piece category.
These artistic triumphs, fused with their podium finishes on the track and other events, cemented Kisumu’s position as a well-rounded contender, matching the multi-discipline athletic dominance seen across the nation.
The County Assembly games were established under the County Assemblies Forum (CAF) to promote unity, cultural exchange, physical fitness and peer learning among Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) and assembly staff.
The Inaugural Edition was held at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi in August 2018, attracting more than 1,500 participants from the 47 county assemblies.
Uasin Gishu hosted the Second Edition in 2019, while the Third Edition was held in Mombasa in 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 event.
Nakuru hosted the Fourth Edition in 2023, followed by Bungoma and Meru, and Kisumu is now hosting the Seventh Edition from October 25 to 31, 2026.
The primary goal has long been to promote the physical, mental, and social well-being of members whose duties in legislation, oversight, and public representation entail long hours and demanding public service.
Over the years, the tournament has evolved from a basic sports day into an expansive institutional framework that acts as a vital platform for inter-county cohesion, horizontal learning, and strategic integration under the banner of devolution.
This year’s competition was held under the unifying theme of “Beyond Competition: Forging Lasting Bonds Through Sports and Culture,” a sentiment that resonated through every event.
The 7th edition marked a high-profile return to the Western region, with Kisumu stepping up to host a massively expanded schedule of distinct sporting and cultural disciplines.
The games successfully boosted the local hospitality and tourism sectors, filling city hotels and businesses by drawing large crowds to venues like the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium and the Kisumu Polytechnic. The game came hot on the hills after the county also hosted the the African Road Cycling Championships from October 21 to 25, 2026.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Kisumu County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro hailed the 7th edition as a resounding triumph that successfully embodied the event’s core values and thanked organizers, participants, partners, and local residents.
“We are very happy to have hosted these games, and I thank everyone for playing their part to ensure its success,” Hon. Oraro stated, noting that the event heavily boosted local solidarity.
Clerk of the Kisumu County Assembly, Mr. Nashon Kusina, echoed the sentiments, stating that the players had shown great resilience and dedication. The CASA Games continue to serve as a vital independent platform for promoting physical health, mental well-being, and cohesion within the spirit of devolution, with Kisumu proudly concluding its hosting duties as look forward to future editions.
The games continue to offer athletes and teams an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities while promoting competition and sportsmanship among participating institutions, and discipline, through games such football, handball, volleyball, netball, golf, badminton, board games and para-volleyball, alongside cultural performances and an eating competition.
The competitions were held at various venues across Kisumu, including Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kenyatta Sports Ground, Aga Khan Hall and Kisumu Golf Club.
The week-long events, running from October 25 to 31, brought together members and staff of county assemblies for sporting competition, cultural exchange and networking under the theme, “Beyond Competition: Forging Lasting Bonds through Sports and Culture.”
Approximately 2,000 county assembly members are expected to participate, with the total number of participants and visitors projected to reach 10,000.
By Mabel Keya- Shikuku and Chrispine Oduor Onyango
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