Since its inaugural edition in 1990, the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Rugby 15s Championship has stood as the pinnacle of school rugby in Kenya, producing generations of talented players and unforgettable matches.
The competition began with Lenana School claiming the first-ever title, setting the stage for a fierce rivalry among Kenya’s rugby powerhouses. In 1991, Nairobi School took the crown, followed by Njoro Boys High School in 1992, and Nakuru High School in 1993, signaling that school rugby success was widely contested.
Lenana School returned to glory in 1994, only for St Mary’s School to begin asserting itself in 1995. Nairobi School regained prominence in 1996, but St Mary’s School quickly reclaimed the championship, dominating from 1997 to 1998, before Lenana School secured its third title in 1999.
The new millennium saw Kakamega High School emerge as a force, winning the 2000 championship. Nakuru High School claimed the 2001 title, while Kakamega High returned in 2002.
In 2003, St. Mary’s Yala lifted the trophy, followed by St Mary’s School once again in 2004. Nakuru High School added another title in 2005, before Mang’u High School made its mark in 2006. Musingu High School won back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008, and Kakamega High School returned in 2009.
The 2010s continued the pattern of rivalry among schools. Mang’u High School reclaimed glory in 2010, followed by Kakamega High School, which dominated from 2011 through 2013. St Peter’s Mumias broke through in 2014, before Laiser Hill Academy triumphed in 2015 and Bungoma High School in 2016. Kakamega High School asserted its supremacy once again in 2017, before Upper Hill School captured the 2018 championship. Kakamega High School returned to claim the 2019 title, reaffirming its status as one of Kenya’s most successful rugby schools.
The championship faced an unprecedented pause from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily halting the momentum of Kenya’s school rugby scene. When competition resumed, Butula Boys High School emerged victorious in 2023, followed by All Saints Embu in 2024. The 2025 championship saw Vihiga High School lift the trophy, signaling the rise of new contenders in the ever-evolving landscape of Kenyan school rugby.
PAST WINNERS OF THE KENYA SECONDARY SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION RUGBY 15s CHAMPIONSHIP
1990 Lenana School
1991 Nairobi School
1992 Njoro Boys High School
1993 Nakuru High School
1994 Lenana School
1995 St Mary’s School
1996 Nairobi School
1997 St Mary’s School
1998 St Mary’s School
1999 Lenana School
2000 Kakamega High School
2001 Nakuru High School
2002 Kakamega High School
2003 St. Mary’s Yala
2004 St Mary’s School
2005 Nakuru High School
2006 Mangu High School
2007 Musingu High School
2008 Musingu High School
2009 Kakamega High School
2010 Mang’u High School
2011 Kakamega High School
2012 Kakamega High School
2013 Kakamega High School
2014 St Peter’s Mumias
2015 Laiser Hill Academy
2016 Bungoma High School
2017 Kakamega High School
2018 Upper Hill School
2019 Kakamega High School
2020 Not Played Due To COVID19
2021 Not Played Due To COVID19
2022 Not Played Due To COVID19
2023 Butula Boys High School
2024 All Saints Embu
2025 Vihiga High School
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