Impala stun Strathmore Leos as KCB, Oilers, Kabras cruise to emphatic victories

Former Kenya Cup champions Impala RFC stunned Strathmore Leos to register only their second win of the season after edging them 23–20 in a tightly contested Kenya Cup clash played on Saturday, 31 January at the Impala Club.

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The result marked a significant turnaround for the Gazelles, who had endured a difficult campaign so far.

It was their second home outing of the season, having previously suffered a heavy 97–6 defeat to Menengai Oilers at the same venue in November 2025.

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Heading into the match, Impala had managed just one win against Daystar Falcons and sat eighth on the 12-team log with seven points.

Strathmore Leos, by contrast, arrived in better form, placed fifth with 15 points, and were fresh from a narrow 34–31 victory over Daystar.

The opening exchanges hinted at a balanced affair.

Within 20 minutes, the scores were locked at 5–5. Impala signalled their intent early, crossing over in the fourth minute through Warren Akaranga, though the conversion attempt drifted wide.

Strathmore responded almost immediately, with Nahashon Owino grounding the ball to level matters.

Impala continued to look rejuvenated. In the 23rd minute, Brian Ochieng went over for their second try, and this time Meshack Andale added the extras to stretch the lead.

The match remained fiercely contested, with both sides keeping fans on edge. Impala’s forwards often gained the upper hand, applying sustained pressure on the Leos’ defensive line.

The hosts extended their advantage after Andale’s kick pinned Strathmore deep in their territory. Quick passing created space for Tyson Okoth to dot down, although the conversion again missed the target.

Strathmore clawed back points through the boot of Arnold Muita following a tackle infringement by Impala, before another infringement from the Leos allowed Impala to add a penalty and maintain control.

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The second half saw Strathmore return with renewed urgency. They frequently threatened Impala’s try line but were undone by handling errors and costly infringements.

Their persistence finally paid off when a patient build-up of phases ended with Owino slipping through for his second try of the afternoon, though the conversion fell short.

Momentum briefly tilted further in Strathmore’s favour when Impala were reduced to 14 men after Okoth was penalised for holding on during a ruck.

The Leos pushed hard from the ensuing scrum and came close twice, only to be denied by determined Impala tackling. Eventually, Cedric Sangwa powered over the line, with Muita successfully converting to narrow the gap.

In the closing minutes, Strathmore’s defensive resilience was on full display as they fought to regain possession and mounted one last assault inside Impala’s 22. However, resolute defending from the Gazelles and the ticking clock proved decisive.

Referee Linus Kinuthia’s final whistle confirmed a morale-boosting 23–18 victory for Impala, a result that could prove pivotal in their fight to climb away from the lower half of the standings.

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Elsewhere in the league, Daystar Falcons secured their second win of the season with a 35–20 triumph over Nakuru RFC.

KCB Rugby continued their dominant run with a seventh consecutive victory, beating Nondescripts 36–14 at the KCB Sports Club.

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) edged struggling Kisumu RFC 25–12 to inch away from the relegation zone.

Menengai Oilers produced a commanding 55–15 win over Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad at the ASK Showground in Nakuru, while Kabras Sugar cruised to a 48–13 victory against Kenya Harlequin in Kakamega.