"It's not over until the last match is played. We might have had a slow start but we are determined to give our best in the remaining matches because we still have a chance to secure a podium finish," Oruta said.
In another tie, national champions St Anthony's who are keen to reclaim the title they lost to Kamusinga in 2019 routed Ntare Secondary School also from Uganda to maintain their unbeaten run.
Linton Mayombe bagged a brace while Norman Lidiga and captain Fred Ouma scored one goal each for the six time East Africa champions.
Ouma who was voted Most Valuable Player at the national games held in Nakuru said his main objective is to rally his side to victory and secure a seventh regional title for the school.
"My desire is to sign off in style, this is the only chance I have to play for my school because of the Covid-19 break and so I must make the best out of it," Ouma said.
St Anthony's will today face off with Kakungulu Memorial while Kamusinga will take on homeboys Arusha Meru International School.
In the girls contest, former East Africa champions Trans Nzoia Mixed edged rivals St Mary's Tachasis 1-0 in their opening clash.
Esther Kadenyi scored Trans Nzoia's all-important goal in the 11th minute. In the other girls tie, defending champions Kakungulu Memorial hammered St Mary's Namagunga 8-0 in an all-Ugandan affair. In rugby 7s, the Kenyan boys will have to work harder in their remaining matches so as to defend the title that Upper Hill won in 2019.
In handball, boys national finalists Hospital Hill advanced to the last four after beating Kilombero of Tanzania 22-17 in their last Group A match.
However, it was end of the road for national champions St Albert Kamito who bid the championship bye despite winning their last Group B match 33-18 against Maweni also of Tanzania.