A look into KRU's triumphs and setbacks in 2023

As the curtains falls on a busy 2023, Mozzart Sport takes a look into some of the highs and lows in the Kenya Rugby Union.

From Kenya 7s being relegated from the HSBC World Rugby 7s series to a new look of the team qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics, here are some of the highlights that caught the fans' attention.

New management at KRU

Sasha Mutai was elected unopposed during the Union's elections at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 29 March 2023 at the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi.

Moses Ndale was voted in as the Vice Chairman with Raymond Olendo elected as Honorary Secretary while Joshua Aroni retained his position as Honorary Treasurer. Former Shujaa captain Humphrey Kayange was voted as Director.

Joining him on the KRU Board were Leslie Mwangale, Ochieng Ahaya, Harriet Achieng, Moses Mukabane and John Kilonzo who retained his seat as Director.

Kenyan coaches take a step higher in coaching

Kenyan coaches like Kennedy Njoroge, Curtis Olago, Sebastian Ochieng, Brian Kibet, Baabu Olindi, Shellan Nyawira, Oliver Kizito, and David Weru are some of the coaches who took another step in their coaching career.

Koyonzo win FEASSSA rugby 7s title

Koyonzo High School rugby claimed their maiden Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) 7s title after beating Vihiga High 21-0 in the final played in Huye Rwanda on August 26. The win saw the Stormers beat Vihiga in three consecutive finals, having faced off in the Western Region, National, and now regional final.

FEASSSA: All Western affair as Koyonzo,Vihiga set to clash in rugby 7s final

Butula win KSSSA rugby 15s title

Butula Boys were crowned the 2023 KSSSA Rugby 15s National Champions after beating All Saints 38-0 in the final played in Eldoret on April 29.

This is the first national 15s title for Butula, making them the fifth school from the Western Region to win the title after Kakamega School, Musingu, Bungoma, and St. Peters. The team was led by Libondo Shimenga, who also won the title with St. Peters Mumias in 2014.

Kenyan medics accredited

Nashon Owino, Levis Kituyi, Redemptor Chepwogen, Vanessa Okara, Evelyne Kerubo Siro, Prince John Ouma Sanga, Maria Adhiambo Omondi, Patricia Waweru, John Otieno all from Kenya, as well as Zimbabwe’s Anne Butau are the 10 members who are now Level 2 accredited medics.

Others like James Ondiege, Christopher Makachia, Samwel Ochieng, Joseph Kolli, Philemon Odidi Ouma, Kennedy Odhiambo, and Gerald Omondi had their licenses renewed.

Kenya hosts World Rugby U20 Trophy

It was the second time Kenya was hosting the U20 Trophy, having done so in 2009 when the tournament was known as the Junior World Rugby Trophy. Kenya finished that tournament in sixth place after a 64-10 loss to Zimbabwe Sables in the fifth-place playoff match. Besides the silverware, the eight competing teams were eyeing a spot in the World Rugby U20 Championship next year in South Africa.

KRU given land to construct stadium

In September, the KRU was allocated 50 acres of land at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani to construct a stadium and a high-performance training center.

CS Ababu Namwamba noted that the stadium would give them equal opportunities to compete with other countries.

Return of Elgon and Victoria Cups

Both the Victoria and Elgon Cups made a grand return to the rugby scene for the first time since 2019. Kenya Simbas got their revenge against Uganda Rugby Cranes as they silenced them 20-13 to claim the Elgon Cup at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu on Saturday.

Simbas, who suffered a narrow 21-20 loss to the Ugandans in the Victoria Cup title decider, which doubled up as the Elgon Cup opening leg in Kampala were keen to avoid lightning striking twice and duly delivered on home soil.

Kabras RFC retain 2022/23 Kenya Cup title

Kabras Sugar Rugby team were the 2022/23 Kenya Cup champions. The Millers edged KCB Rugby 19-9 in a tough contest at the Kakamega on March 11. The sugar millers also ended the season unbeaten. Kabras hosted the finals by having been the top-ranked team at the end of the regular season.

Hosting of kids' tournaments

Dream Believe Achieve (DBA) Africa, in partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union and the Uganda Rugby Union, hosted the first-ever regional U15 rugby tournament from 14-16 July at St Christopher's School in Nairobi.

The tournament dubbed ‘Future's Cup’ attracted a total of eight U15 regional teams, including Central, Coastal, Rift Valley, two Nairobi sides, and a team from Kampala.

Rift Valley Lakers won the inaugural edition following a 10-5 victory over Uganda's Kampala Giants in the final played on Sunday 16 July.

Scrummage Africa also hosted the Inaugural kids' tournament in Kakamega on December 16, where Rift Valley Gilgil Vumbi carries all the categories (Under 14, Under 12, Girls).

The 2023 Blackrock Festival was also a resounding success.

Kenya Lionesses' build-up matches in SA

Kenya Lionesses will have two crucial build-up matches in South Africa as they prepare for the inaugural World Rugby WXV3 competition scheduled from October 13 to 28, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. On Saturday, September 16, the team faced off against South Africa, followed by a clash with the San Clemente Rhinos a week later.

Kenya Lionesses retain WXV3 status

Kenya Lionesses remained in WXV3 after a 21-5 win over Colombia in their crunch tie in Dubai, UAE on Friday 27. They also had two teams; one representing in the Africa Women's 7s while the other competed in the WXV3 series.

Lionesses pounce on Colombia to retain WXV3 status

Cancellation of Prescott Cup matches

This year’s edition of Prescott Cup Nationals did not happen earlier scheduled following its eleventh-hour cancellation despite some schools being halfway to Nairobi. The tournament which was supposed to kick off on Thursday 12th October to 14th October, at the Ngong RFUEA Grounds was put off. According to the letter addressed to schools, the Kenya Rugby Union pointed out examination preparations as a reason to call off the much-anticipated competition.

Low turnout of fans

2023 was a year that saw some rugby matches register a very low turnout of fans. Some events like the Kenya Cup finals, KSSSA rugby 7s, Barthes Cup, and the World Rugby U20 trophy saw a great turnout of fans. However, during the 2023 Safari 7s, only a handful of fans turned out. This could be due to the high gate charges. During Safari 7s, a regular ticket went for Ksh1000, despite the challenging economic times.

Death of some renowned rugby figures

This year also saw the rugby fans brought to mourning following the death of Kenya Lionesses star Bernadette Olesia. She passed away on Tuesday 15 August 2023 while receiving treatment in hospital.

Bernadette worked at the Shamas Rugby Foundation and played her club rugby for the Shamas Rugby Foundation and Northern Suburbs Ladies Team.

Former Kenyan International forward Edward Kinyany also passed on October 24.

Kinyanyi won the Kenya Cup with Kenya Harlequin as both a player and coach but also served as the club’s Chairman during the 2012-13 season.

His contributions extended beyond domestic accolades; he was an integral part of the Kenya Simbas coaching staff that led the Kenya Simbas to multiple Elgon Cup triumphs and the 2011 Africa Cup title under the guidance of Michael “Tank” Otieno.

Kenya Simbas fail to honor two Currie Cup matches

The Kenya Simbas final two Currie Cup matches were shelved owing to financial constraints.

The Simbas were due to play Valke and SWD Eagles but lack of a sponsor and government support saw the side fail to honour the two matches.

Kenya Rugby Union chairman Sasha Mutai said they tried everything they could to have the 15s side play but lack of funds proved a huge challenge.

Last-minute postponement of the league

The eleventh-hour postponement of the Kenya Cup, Championship, and nationwide season was a major setback for the Union this year. The women's Kenya Cup was also postponed indefinitely. As the calendar rolls over to the new year, rugby enthusiasts are optimistic that timely communication will be done to avoid inconveniences.

Shujaa, Lionesses to miss Dubai 7s Invitation tournament - KRU

Shujaa, Lionesses fail to travel for Dubai 7s

Kenya 7s and Kenya Lionesses did not participate in the Dubai 7s international tournament as planned.

According to a last-minute statement by the Union, the team did not honor the tournament due to logistical challenges.