Y-I-R: From highs and lows to home advantage - Kenya rugby’s focus shifts to HSBC Division II

Kenya’s national rugby teams endured a year of contrasts in 2025, marked by historic breakthroughs, painful setbacks, and renewed hope as the country prepares to host a leg of the HSBC Sevens Circuit Division 2 for the first time on home soil in February 2026.

On the women’s side, the Kenya Lionesses enjoyed a landmark season that redefined their place on the global stage. The team clinched the overall World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series title after victories in South Africa and a strong finish in Poland, earning promotion to the newly created HSBC SVNS Division 2.

The Lionesses capped off the year by winning the Safari Sevens at home and finishing runners-up at the Africa Women’s Sevens in Nairobi, underlining their consistency and growth.

The men’s sevens side, Shujaa, endured a tougher campaign. Competing in the top-tier HSBC SVNS Series, Kenya struggled for consistency, finishing as low as 10th in Dubai, Perth, and Hong Kong. However, a memorable run to the Cup Final in Singapore offered a glimpse of their potential.

Ultimately, Shujaa finished ninth overall and were relegated from the elite tier but salvaged their season by defeating Canada in the promotion playoff to secure a place in Division 2.

Strength and conditioning coach Andrew Amonde believes unity and support systems have been the defining positives for the national teams in 2025.

“One thing that has really worked for us is having that unit working together. These are youngsters who have grown together and created a strong bond,” Amonde said. He also credited sponsorship backing for improving preparation. “Having sponsors like SportPesa and Safaricom has helped cover most of our preparations and created the right environment for the teams to compete.”

Amonde, however, admits the new World Rugby format has presented challenges.

“We’ve been disadvantaged by going to Division 2. There are fewer games and a bigger challenge to climb back into the top eight,” he said, adding that missing out on some circuits limited learning opportunities. Still, he views the setback as motivation. “It’s about taking one step at a time. We’ve been motivated to find our way back.”

That journey begins at home on February 14–15, when Kenya hosts the inaugural leg of the HSBC Sevens Circuit Division 2. For Amonde, the significance goes beyond competition.

 “It’s a big privilege for the country. It allows Kenyans to see teams like the USA, Uruguay, and Germany live, not just on television,” he said. “For our young players, it’s a huge learning platform and an opportunity to express themselves with less pressure.”

At the club level, Menengai Oilers assistant coach Lawi Buyachi is encouraged by the direction Kenyan rugby talent is taking.

“The current technical teams for both Lionesses and Shuja are doing a very good job,” Buyachi said. He believes the influx of young players has injected fresh energy into the national setup. “Exciting young boys are coming through who have been given a chance to showcase what they can do. I believe we will be very competitive moving forward.”

While the seven teams dominated headlines, the men’s 15s side, the Kenya Simbas, experienced a frustrating year. Despite an emphatic 54–24 win over the United Arab Emirates in a build-up match, the Simbas fell short in the Rugby Africa Cup semi-finals against Zimbabwe, missing out on qualification for the Rugby World Cup.

Off the pitch, the Kenya Rugby Union is banking on organization and fan engagement to ensure the Division 2 event is a success.

CEO Thomas Odundo says preparations are already well advanced. “We are hosting the event in collaboration with World Rugby, and most of the key items have already been ticked off,” Odundo said, citing venue readiness, accommodation, and transport logistics.

Odundo acknowledged that filling the stadium remains a challenge in a football-dominated sporting landscape. “Rugby is not as easy to follow if you haven’t seen it played before, and the games run over two full days,” he explained. “We are working on an education and entertainment plan to keep fans engaged throughout.”

Kenya earned the hosting rights through a formal bid backed by the government, bolstered by a strong rugby culture and a proven track record of staging international events, including the Safari Sevens and the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens. World Rugby officials also conducted extensive infrastructure assessments before awarding the leg to Nairobi.

As 2025 draws to a close, Kenyan rugby stands at a pivotal moment. The Lionesses have set a new benchmark, Shujaa are seeking redemption, and the Simbas remain in rebuilding mode.

Hosting the HSBC Division 2 Circuit now offers Kenya a rare opportunity to restore momentum, inspire a new generation and reaffirm its place on the global rugby map.