ST. JOSEPH’S KITALE CROWNED CHAMPIONS AS CITAM MEGA GOSPEL TOURNAMENT ENDS IN STYLE
The three-day Secondary Schools Sports Bonanza organized by Christ Is The Answer Ministries (CITAM) in partnership with the Department of Sports, County Government of Kakamega has officially concluded, marking a successful showcase of youth talent, discipline, and faith. The CITAM Mega Gospel Tournament 2026 brought together secondary schools from the Western, Rift Valley, and Nyanza regions, drawing large crowds of spectators. The final, held at Bukhungu Stadium, saw St. Joseph’s Boys National School, Kitale (Jobo) thrash Shanderema Secondary School 5-0 to clinch the title in emphatic fashion.
The road to the final was marked by intense competition across all stages. Shanderema opened with a 1-0 win over Tande and went on to defeat St. Joseph’s Boys 2-0 in the group stages, while Kisumu Boys recorded victories against St. Paul’s Emulakha (2-1) and Ingotse (1-0). Jobo, however, bounced back strongly, defeating Kisumu Boys 1-0 in the semi-finals as Shanderema edged out Emulakha by a similar scoreline. Kisumu Boys later secured third place with a 4-1 win over Emulakha, setting up a final where Jobo delivered a dominant and decisive performance.
Individual and team excellence were recognized at the close of the tournament, with Orute Esirat of Jobo emerging top scorer and Kwendo Job taking the Golden Glove, while Shanderema’s Jethro Fabregas was named Most Valuable Player. Kisumu Boys earned the Fair Play award as the most disciplined team, with Tande Secondary School recognized as the most promising side. In the final standings, St. Joseph’s Kitale ranked first, followed by Shanderema, Kisumu Boys, St. Paul’s Emulakha, Ingotse Boys, and Tande Secondary School, with teams also receiving cash awards for their performances.
Representing H.E. FCPA Dr. Fernandes Barasa, the County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Ms. Jackline Masicha, lauded CITAM Church for partnering with the county government in nurturing young talent alongside spiritual growth. She reiterated the county’s commitment to sports infrastructure development, citing Bukhungu Stadium as a strategic facility expected to host national and continental matches, including the anticipated AFCON fixtures. The event was also graced by Rev. Elphas Bwire and gospel artist Ali Mukhwana, alongside Chief Officers Mr. Lawrence Mukoyani and Ms. Christine Kimungui