Butula Boys High School, popularly known as the Western Hawks, have been crowned the new KSSSA National 7s champions after producing a stunning performance to thrash Cardinal Otunga Senior School Mosocho of Kisii 26-0 in a one-sided final at M-Pesa Stadium in Thika on Thursday.
The emphatic victory marked a historic moment for the Busia-based school, which has spent 15 years building its reputation in rugby before finally laying its hands on the coveted national 7s trophy.
Chief Principal Josphat Otsieno was at the stadium to cheer the team alongside former students, members of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and teachers.
Unlike some of the competing schools, Butula did not have politicians or county government officials at the stadium to offer the team motivational support.
However, coach Alumasa Bonfotra kept the players focused and inspired them to write a new chapter in the school’s sporting history.
Following the national triumph, the Hawks have immediately shifted their focus to the East African Secondary Schools Games, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 12, in Morogoro, Tanzania.
Otsieno expressed confidence that his charges are ready to compete for the regional crown, saying the school has invested heavily in the team’s preparation and welfare.
“We have invested in the team’s strength and conditioning and enhanced their welfare. The team had many build-up matches as part of our preparations for the games,” Otsieno said.
He added that the team would now aim to bring the East African title home after conquering the national competition.
Director of Studies Edwin Opakasi congratulated the players and technical bench for rewriting the school’s sporting history, saying the institution was determined to excel both on the field and in the classroom.
“Besides shining in sports, we shall also strive to meet our target of a mean score of 9.5 in this year’s KCSE,” Opakasi said.
Butula Boys came close to national glory in the 15-a-side version of the game in 2022, only to suffer a heavy 31-0 defeat against Koyonzo from Kakamega County in the final.
Koyonzo subsequently dominated the national 15s competition, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, a feat that saw them emulate Kakamega School, which had also achieved consecutive victories in 2012 and 2013.
Butula’s latest success now gives the Western Hawks an opportunity to establish themselves among Kenya’s leading school rugby powers.
Three Kenyan schools will represent the country in the 7s category at the East African games in Morogoro.
Kenyan schools have dominated the FEASSSA 7s competition in recent years. St Peter’s Mumias won the inaugural title in 2016, followed by:
2017: Muhuri Muchiri
2018: Laiser Hill
2019: Upper Hill
2023: Koyonzo
2024: Vihiga Boys
2025: Koyonzo
The Western Hawks will now seek to extend Kenya’s dominance by conquering the regional competition in Tanzania.
