How workable is it? KRU explains decision to convert ESS to U20 league

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) is set to introduce a new Under-20 league to replace the long-standing Eric Shirley Shield (ESS) competition.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

This move, set to begin in the 2025/26 season, is aimed at rejuvenating youth development in the country.

KRU Chairperson Harriet Okach confirmed the development during a press briefing held at the RFUEA Grounds on Wednesday, 11 June, where she emphasised the union’s intention to create a more structured pipeline for nurturing young talent.

KRU Chairperson explains resignation of co-opted board member

The shift is expected to provide a consistent competitive platform for emerging players and bolster the national U20 team, Chipu.

“It has been approved and will be adopted from next season. We have seen the promise in Chipu, but there is still a gap.

With the U20 league, we will be able to bridge that gap and have a stronger pool for national team call-ups,” she said.

To further understand the practicability of the new U20 league, Mozzart Sport caught up with Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Director of Squads Moses Mukabane, who explained that the shift was driven by the decline in value of the Eric Shirley Shield (ESS).

According to Mukabane, the once-vibrant second-tier competition had been plagued by repeated walkovers and dwindling relevance, prompting clubs and the union to rethink its structure. ESS has traditionally served as a second-tier competition.

“This move was born out of conversations with the clubs that are the heart of the game. ESS has become riddled with walkovers, and it was clear the format was not working anymore,” he offered.

KRU's co-opted board member turns down appointment

Over the past three seasons, clubs struggled to consistently field second teams, resulting in a watered-down ESS that no longer served its intended purpose.

Mukabane clarified that this change was not a top-down directive but the result of wide consultation with the clubs themselves.

“Our goal was to breathe new life into ESS, not just by boardroom decisions, but by walking hand-in-hand with the clubs to shape something more meaningful for today’s game,” he noted.

The reimagined ESS will now act as a hybrid platform: primarily an U20 league. It will, however, have provisions to include a handful of senior players, ensuring it also supports the depth and transition needs of Kenya Cup clubs.

“The ESS is becoming a bridge, a vital transition zone where U20 players grow and find their way into senior squads. It is the beginning of something bigger,” Mukabane explained.

Beyond player development, the revamped format is expected to ease financial pressure on clubs. Fielding full second teams every weekend had become increasingly unsustainable, and the streamlined U20 model will help clubs manage operational costs more effectively.

Kenya Sevens speedster Patrick Odongo explains 3 little-known facts about him

“With the new structure, clubs can manage costs better. The revamped ESS is not just a competition; it is a product. And when packaged well, it becomes attractive for sponsors,” he averred.

While the new U20 league will remain under the Kenya Cup umbrella for now, further adjustments such as zoning and logistical frameworks will be worked out in collaboration with clubs.

“We are keeping the door open. Zoning, logistics, and growth, those will be shaped in consultation with the clubs,” he concluded.