Manyatta keen to replicate 2023 East Africa heroics at nationals

Four-time Nyanza Region handball champions Manyatta High School want to represent Kenya at the East Africa games this year.

The Migori County heavyweights believe they have a well-trained team that can achieve, if not play better than, the 2023 squad that not only won bronze at the nationals but also qualified for the East Africa games that were held in Huye, Rwanda for the first time.

Andrew Owino, an experienced handball coach that has dominated the sport for the better part of the decade in Nyanza, believes the sport has grown in the region and seeks national dominance.

Owino has been at the nationals since 2017, previously qualifying with Kanyawanga three times (2017, 2018, 2019) and now four times since joining Manyatta (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025).

“Handball is really growing in Nyanza despite me being a dominant force. This year’s regional games was one of the toughest to be ever played and I expect the boys to be even stronger in Mombasa,” said Owino.

Manyatta narrowly retained their Nyanza handball title after a tight 16-15 win over Maseno School. In the semis, they also picked another tight 24-21 win over Otaro Mixed.

“The narrow wins show you the level of the matches. These results come in handy for my boys who will be even more prepared and confident. I prefer winning by one margin to make you work harder the next match than winning by 10 to make you relax,” Owino added.

Manyatta will face off Highway, Matiliku, and North Eastern in Mombasa and captain Walter Edwin is keen to get to the semis.

Last year, the Migori County champions saw fire after failing to get out of the pool that consisted of Mbooni Boys, Saniak, Mwangea in Machakos.

“We are going to take it a game at a time. We need two wins to get to the semis. The first match will be crucial for us and we are going to ensure that we take the first win,” said the Form Four student.