Kisumu is hosting Members of County Assemblies and assembly staff from across the country for the 2026 County Assemblies Sports Association (CASA) Games, a week of sport and culture that runs until Saturday, October 31.

The seventh edition of the games opened at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, with a procession of county delegations bringing traffic on the Kisumu-Kakamega highway to a halt, the Kenya News Agency reported. Teams marched in carrying county flags and banners, each welcomed with songs from its home region.

This year's theme is "Beyond Competition: Forging Lasting Bonds through Sports and Culture".

Tribute to Raila

The opening also carried a sombre note. Participants observed a moment of silence for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died a year ago, and for MCAs who have passed on. The crowd sang along to the late Lady Maureen's song Raila Duogi as delegations entered the stadium.

Nyong'o's message to MCAs

Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, welcoming the visitors, said the games had grown out of the Kenya Counties Sports Association (KICOSCA) into an independent platform for county assemblies.

He urged the legislators to take their law-making and oversight work seriously, saying devolution should be measured by how decisions change the lives of ordinary citizens rather than by the number of motions passed or debates held.

Nyong'o said traders, hoteliers, restaurant owners, boda boda riders and food vendors stood to benefit from the visitors, coming barely a week after the city hosted the African Road Cycling Championships. He asked residents to offer warm hospitality and fair prices, and urged delegates to visit Lake Victoria and Impala Park.

Kisumu County Assembly Speaker Elisha Jack Oraro said the games allow assemblies to share experience in legislation and oversight, and assured participants of enough accommodation and security. When Kisumu was picked as host in September, county leaders said they were preparing for more than 10,000 participants.

CASA president Peter Imwatok, who is also Majority Leader in the Nairobi City County Assembly, told participants that sport teaches "resilience, discipline, teamwork, and humility", and urged them to carry those lessons back to their wards.

Early results

On the pitch, hosts Kisumu beat Nairobi 1-0 in football, with Ben Abuodha scoring in the 12th minute of a match played over two 15-minute halves. In tug-of-war, Nyandarua pulled past Kisumu and then Bungoma.

Events this week include football, handball, volleyball, netball, golf, badminton, board games and para-volleyball, as well as cultural performances. Matches are spread across Jomo Kenyatta Stadium, Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kenyatta Sports Ground, Aga Khan Hall and Kisumu Golf Club.

The CASA Games began in 2018 at Kasarani after assembly sports were separated from those of county executives. Uasin Gishu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Bungoma and Meru have hosted previous editions.

Photos: Kenya News Agency. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.