Why Kakamega School’s Soccer team is called the ‘Green Commandos’

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 “𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘀” 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺

The “Green Commandos” nickname for Kakamega High School’s football team has its origins in a turning point for the school’s football journey.

In 1978, Kakamega High suffered a tough defeat in the Provincial finals at the hands of Musingu High School, with Pius “Khoi Khoi” Masinza being the standout player that day. Kakamega’s star-studded team, which included players like Washington Muhanji, Anyanzwa (Barboza), Peter Ouma, Juma Sambaka, Titus Lupamo, and Topi Lyambila, was devastated by the loss.

Determined to rebuild the team, Gaylord Avedi, the principal of Kakamega High, presented the team with a brand-new green uniform during a school parade.

As Peter Lichungu, a former player, recalls, Avedi declared: “I have bought you this green uniform and you will be my soldiers. You will be my Green Commandos that will fight for our comeback in football.”

Avedi’s statement became the rallying cry that marked the birth of the now-legendary nickname “Green Commandos.”

From that moment, the team embarked on a remarkable journey, going on to win the national secondary school football title five times consecutively.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘀

Kakamega High alumnus Henry Were, who was at the school between 1978 and 1983, holds the late Principal Avedi in high esteem for laying the foundation of the Green Commandos’ success.

According to Were, Avedi supported the team behind the scenes, backing legendary coach Chris Makokha and his assistant Mr. Kwendo Inyambukho. Avedi also facilitated the recruitment of talented players through scholarships and ensured they received special meals, further strengthening the team’s dominance.

To this day, the Green Commandos remains as the most successful school football team in Kenya.