- KCB Rugby were crowned 2025 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit champions on Sunday, September 14, after a narrow 15-14 win over Strathmore Leos in the final leg, the Dala 7s in Kisumu.
- This marks KCB’s fifth overall title (2013, 2014, 2019, 2023, 2025), solidifying their dominance in the series.
- They had already topped the standings, with Leos needing to win the Dala 7s to overtake them a chance that slipped away in the last eight moments.
George Oroo was the hero of the day, scoring a last-second try to lead KCB Rugby to a narrow 15-14 victory over Strathmore Leos in the Dala 7s 2025 cup quarterfinals on Sunday September 14, a win that secured the overall Sportpesa National Sevens Circuit title.
As a result, the Bankers are now the reigning champions of the National Sevens Circuit, having claimed the crown five times (2013, 2014, 2019, 2023, and now 2025).
This achievement places them ahead of rivals Kenya Harlequins, Mwamba, and Impala, who have each won four times.
The Dala 7s 2025 marked the concluding leg of the six-tournament series, with both Leos and KCB entering the match needing different outcomes to clinch the overall title.
The Bankers’ only task was to reach the semifinals to be immediately crowned champions.
They entered the encounter at the top the overall table with 104 points and needed just 15 more, guaranteed by a semifinal berth.
Even a fourth-place finish would grant them enough points, as Strathmore Leos, who began the round with 95 points, could only reach a maximum of 117.
KCB have been nothing short of exceptional in the 2025 Sportpesa 7s, reaching all five prior finals of the circuit.
They commenced their campaign with a decisive victory at the Driftwood 7s in Mombasa. They fell short in the second leg, the Prinsloo 7s – defended successfully by Strathmore Leos, where they finished second.
The team bounced back to win the Christie 7s. Although they lost to Leos again at the Embu 7s, they still earned enough points to retain their top ranking.
Their triumph at the Kabeberi 7s further solidified their lead, meaning a semifinal berth in the final leg was all they needed and they delivered.
Coming into this quarterfinal, the two teams had previously met four times in cup contests this season, with KCB winning twice.
Vincent Onyala was the first to score, giving the Bankers a 5-0 lead within two minutes. Strathmore Leos hit back through Brian Mwenwa to take a 7-5 lead in a tightly contested first half.
After the break, George Ooro saved the Bankers with a try in the right corner, which Festus Shiasi converted.
However, it did not take long for Samwel Wafula to surge through the KCB defense, giving Leos a 14-10 lead as their defense continued to dominate.
Yet, Ooro, in his first season with the club, emerged as the hero. He dashed through the left wing to score the winning try just as the final hooter sounded.
KCB were crowned series champions and progressed to the Dala 7s semifinal, where they will face Daystar Falcons, seeking a sixth consecutive final appearance this season. Meanwhile, Leos faltered in their chance and will play for fifth place against Nakuru RFC.
KCB Rugby Record champions: National 7s circuit title winners since 1999
- 1999 Impala
- 2000 Impala
- 2001 Impala
- 2002 Ulinzi
- 2003 Ulinzi
- 2004 Impala
- 2005 Kenya Harlequin
- 2006 Kenya Harlequin
- 2007 Mwamba
- 2008 Mwamba
- 2009 Strathmore Leos
- 2010 Mwamba
- 2011 Mwamba
- 2012 Kenya Harlequin
- 2013 KCB
- 2014 KCB
- 2015 Nakuru
- 2016 Homeboyz
- 2017 Kabras Sugar
- 2018 Homeboyz
- 2019 KCB
- 2020 Not played due to COVID19
- 2021 Not played due to COVID19
- 2022 Menengai Oilers
- 2023 KCB
- 2024 Kenya Harlequin
- 2025 KCB