By REUBEN OLITA
April 24, 2026| As the fourth edition of the Kenya Tug of War Association (KETWA) National League approaches, Busia County’s tug-of-war teams have fired an unequivocal warning to their rivals. Scheduled for May at Masinde Gardens in Kakamega, the competition promises high drama, and Busia intends to be at the center of it.
Busia’s Grade 1 National Coach and Judge, Itubo Solomon, revealed that the team has been meticulously reviewing past shortcomings with an eye toward asserting regional dominance. The lessons from the third edition, held at ABSA Club in Nairobi on April 18, 2026, remain fresh. While Busia delivered an impressive performance that signaled their readiness to compete at the highest national level, critical flaws emerged—chief among them weight management, particularly within the women’s team.
“The ladies were underweight by between seventy and ninety kilograms against the required six hundred and eighty kilograms for a team of eight,” Itubo admitted. “We are working on those mistakes and may recruit players who meet the threshold.”
The men’s team, despite strong showings, also grappled with tactical inconsistencies. Busia has since refined its strategy ahead of anticipated clashes with long-standing regional rivals from Kisumu and Kakamega. “We are going to stamp our authority and confirm we are the best in county games,” Itubo said with confidence.
The rivalry within the Lake Basin region is intensifying. Busia’s women’s team has boldly promised to outclass Kakamega on their home ground. Meanwhile, in previous outings, Busia’s men secured victories against Equity Bank, ABSA Bank, Kenya Prisons, Nyandarua, and Laikipia, benefiting from a walkover when Kisumu City failed to appear—a no-show Busia officials decried as “sports cowardice.” Their only losses came against GSU and KDF Operators.
After the third edition, the men’s standings saw KDF ASOB Gilgil leading with 22 points, followed by GSU Headquarters on 20, GSU Flies on 15, and ABSA Bank and Busia tied on 13. Among the ladies, Kakamega topped with 9 points, Busia followed with 6, ahead of ABSA Bank and Equity Bank.
Since joining the KETWA league in 2022 as part of a five-year strategic plan running through 2027, Busia has already claimed one championship title, two bronze medals, and defended its EALASCA crown in Kampala 2025. With elite coach Patrick Omollo on board and support from Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma and Sports CECM Paul Olunga Ekwenye, the county has focused on youth recruitment, fielding athletes averaging just 24 to 25 years of age.
Looking beyond the league, Busia is using KETWA as a build-up to the KICOSCA Games scheduled for August, possibly in Kilifi. The target is gold in both men’s and women’s categories, reclaiming the inter-county title last won in 2024, and improving upon their runner-up finish in 2025. “We are ninety-nine percent ready to reclaim the inter-county title,” the coach affirmed.
With momentum on their side, Busia’s teams are confident of defending their EALASCA crown and representing Kenya once again—potentially in Uganda. “We are consolidating our supremacy,” Itubo concluded. “2026 is our year of trophies.”