Another Kenya Lionesses player goes pro after signing for French club
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 06.09.25. | 17:11
The former Nakuru RFC playmaker has also previously featured for Japanese outfit MIE Pearls Women’s Rugby Football Club
Kenya Lionesses playmaker Grace Okulu Adhiambo has become the latest player to join a professional side.
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The talented Adhiambo became the latest addition to French Elite 2 side Racing 92 ahead of their new campaign.
The freshly crowned French Fédérale 1 champions announced Okulu’s arrival on their social media platforms. She was unveiled alongside Igoudou Bamba, Marie Aurélie Castel, Marie Bouchardeau, and Khalya Sissoko-Ahamada.
“The Sky & White family is growing. Welcome to Grace Adhiambo Okulu, Marie Aurélie Castel, Marie Bouchardeau, Khalya Sissoko-Ahamada, and Igoudou Bamba,” the club posted.
Racing 92 have been recruiting talent since June as they prepare for their Elite 2 campaign, which begins in October and will run until June 2026. Adhiambo joined the team just on time for their pre-season training.
Adhiambo joins the French side after impressing with the Kenya Lionesses in the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, where she played a key role in helping Kenya claim their first-ever Challenger title.
She has been a pillar of the Lionesses' side since 2016 and has also represented the country both in 15s and Sevens, playing pivotal roles in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, the Rugby Africa Cup Sevens, Africa Women’s Rugby 15s, the Elgon Cup, and the WXV3 tournament in Dubai in 2023.
The former Nakuru RFC playmaker has also previously featured for Japanese outfit MIE Pearls Women’s Rugby Football Club.
Adhiambo, who started her career with Nakuru RFC, hopes more players in the Lionesses can get professional contracts to spur Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup in 2029.
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“I believe our chances will greatly improve if we can get six to eight players playing in Europe, South Africa, or elsewhere. The exposure of playing abroad is massive, and it will greatly improve our rugby.”
With Kenya set to host the 2025 Africa Cup 7s, Adhiambo is optimistic of the Lionesses’ chances.
“We have had memorable battles with them, and we were quite unfortunate to lose against them last year. We have grown as a team and playing in the Challenger has hardened us, and we are looking forward to doing well on home soil,” she said as per The Star.
The news comes a month after Adhiambo was elected the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) female athletes’ representative after trouncing national women’s volleyball team player Edith Wisa in a closely-fought contest. She garnered 15 votes in comparison to her opponents’ 12.
