In a nail-biting final, Trans Nzoia County missed out on clinching the International World Peace Day Cup after a narrow penalty shootout defeat against West Pokot County. The match, held under the auspices of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), ended in a 1-1 draw during regular time, with West Pokot County prevailing 5-4 in the ensuing penalty shootout.

Trans Nzoia took an early lead through Ken Wekesa’s 34th-minute strike, but West Pokot equalized just before halftime, scoring in the 43rd minute. Both sides had several opportunities in the second half to secure the win, but the deadlock persisted, leading to the decisive shootout. West Pokot County converted all five of their penalties, while Trans Nzoia missed one, handing the victory to their rivals.

Following the match, NCIC Director Millicent Okoku praised the event’s role in fostering peace and unity across communities. She emphasized NCIC’s commitment to collaborating with county governments and peace actors to use sports as a platform for promoting cohesion.

Pascal Wekesa, Trans Nzoia County’s CEC Sports Chief Officer, alongside Protus Wamalwa, the team manager, echoed Okoku’s sentiments. They highlighted the power of sports in promoting peace and called for more inter-county tournaments to strengthen cooperation among counties.

Governor George Natembeya, a strong advocate for sports development, expressed his support for inter-county games. He acknowledged the benefits of such tournaments for both fostering camaraderie among county staff and enhancing their physical and mental well-being. Natembeya also encouraged regular events like these to promote teamwork, idea-sharing, and relaxation in an otherwise busy work environment.

Despite the loss, the tournament was a success, reinforcing the message of peace and unity through sports across the region.