Inaugural Kitale 7s set to breathe life into Kitale RFC’s revival
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 19.07.25. | 10:57
Headlining the tournament are Kabras Sugar and Kisumu RFC, who will be joined by 10 other men’s teams and four women’s sides in what will be a showcase of raw talent and regional pride
On Saturday, 19 July, the Kitale Club will swing into life as 16 teams battle it out at the inaugural Kitale Sevens.
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The two-day rugby festival will serve as a curtain-raiser for the much-anticipated 2025 National Sevens Circuit, slated to kick off later this month. It will also be a way to reignite the rugby interest in Western Kenya.
The last time Western Kenya hosted a major sevens competition was in August 2024, during the Ingo 7s. Nearly a year on, the region’s rugby enthusiasts are still craving live action, making the Kitale 7s a much-anticipated return for fans who have waited patiently to once again experience the thrill of high-level competition on home soil.
And thrill they will get, as the teams headlining this event promise a weekend of unforgettable rugby.
Headlining the tournament are Kabras Sugar and Kisumu RFC, who will be joined by 10 other men’s teams and four women’s sides in what will be a showcase of raw talent and regional pride.
The 2024 National Sevens Circuit runners-up lead Pool A, where they will square off against Webuye RFC, Kitale National Polytechnic, and Samurai Wakulima.
In Pool B, Kisumu will test their mettle against Kitale Veterans, Kisiwa Institute, and Bukembe.
Pool C brings together Sigalagala, P61 Eldoret, Bungoma, and Kibingei.
The women’s category features Eldoret TENP, Kitale National Polytechnic, Cranes Kitale, Kitale Community, and St Emmanuel Mururii.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, tournament organiser Isaac Munene revealed that the idea behind Kitale 7s was born from a desire to bring back competitive rugby to a region that has produced some of the country’s finest players.
“The talent in the Western region, especially Trans Nzoia County, is enormous. Kitale has been a hub for top players like Dan Sikuta, Jack Omaido, and Steve Sikuta.
We felt it was time to bring the rugby fraternity together and reignite interest in the game here,” Munene offered.
The event was made possible through collaboration with Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Fixtures and Competitions Administrator Michael Mwanja, who is affiliated with Kitale RFC, and support from Nondies RFC’s chairman Auka Gecheo, who served as a consultant for the tournament.
Beyond this weekend’s action, the organisers envision Kitale 7s becoming a permanent fixture in the national calendar, just like the Embu 7s.
Munene further revealed that there are deliberate plans to revamp Kitale RFC, a once-promising side that competed in the KRU Championship but has since struggled due to financial constraints.
He noted that hosting the Kitale 7s is a strategic move to breathe new life into the club, attract support, and rebuild its foundation for future success.
“We’re investing in grassroots rugby to build a strong Kitale RFC, and this event is a major step toward that goal,” he disclosed.
He also confirmed that community-driven initiatives, including school outreach programs and rugby clinics, are in the pipeline as part of the tournament’s broader impact.
Off the pitch, fans can expect a lively atmosphere, with entertainment from renowned entertainers.
“We have invited top teams within the region and engaged the crème de la crème of Kitale, being hosted by MC JR and our experienced DJ Alvin, with hospitality supported by Kitale Club, Heineken, and Khetia’s beverages,” Munene concluded.
