KRU names Shujaa, Morans squads for Safari 7s

The Kenya Rugby Union has officially unveiled the Shujaa and Morans squads for the 2025 Safari Sevens tournament, which will be held from October 10 to 12 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The annual rugby showpiece, a flagship event in Africa’s rugby calendar, will feature elite sides from across Africa, Europe, and beyond as Kenya looks to defend its home turf and reaffirm its dominance in sevens rugby.

Head coach Kevin Wambua has named a balanced Shujaa squad that merges proven performers with rising stars, underscoring Kenya’s continued commitment to excellence and transition in the short-code game.

George Ooro and Samuel Asati, two seasoned leaders who bring tactical maturity and composure to the team, will co-captain it.

They are joined by key figures such as Vincent Onyala, Kevin Wekesa, and Patrick Odongo, whose pace and power make them standout international performers.

Strathmore Leos Captain Gabriel Ayimba earns his second consecutive Safari 7s appearance.

At the same time, Floyd Wabwire, statistically the top-ranked player in the 2025 National Sevens Circuit, cements his place after a dominant domestic season.

Other notable inclusions are Dennis Abukuse, Nygel Amaitsa, Festus Shiasi, William Mwanji, and Jackson Siketi, all expected to add depth and dynamism to Kenya’s attack as Shujaa aims to thrill the home crowd and reclaim glory.

The Morans, Kenya’s second men’s national sevens side, have opted for a youth-driven approach, naming seven debutants to nurture the next generation of stars.

John Okoth of Menengai Oilers captains the side, bringing valuable leadership and stability.

The debutants—Clinton Amukwachi, Eugene Ojiambo, Daniel Kipchirchir, David Nyangige, Elton Amalemba, Arnold Muita, and Rayvon Ambale—have been rewarded for their stellar form in the local circuit.

Ambale, from Kabras Sugar RFC, earned his call-up after a standout campaign in the 2025 National Sevens Circuit, following a two-year rugby stint at Bryanston School in the UK.

In the men’s category, Kenya Shujaa and Morans will face stiff competition from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda Men, French Renegades, UK Select, Shogun, Apache Rugby, Reunion, KCB RFC, and Walukuba Barbarians (Uganda).

Meanwhile, the women’s category will feature Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Cubs, Belgium, Tunisia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Shogun, and Costa Blanca Barbarians, reflecting the continued growth of women’s sevens globally.

As Kenya continues its bid to host a World Rugby Sevens Series leg, this year’s Safari 7s provides a crucial platform to showcase organizational excellence, homegrown talent, and the rich rugby culture that has made Nairobi’s tournament a fixture on the global sevens calendar.