- The 25/26 Kenya Cup Round 1 kicked off on Saturday, November 22, with fixtures taking place across multiple venues in the country.
- Daystar Falcons, making their top-flight debut, faced a brutal introduction, while returning side MMUST also suffered defeat in their first match since promotion last season.
- The heavyweights, spearheaded by Kabras Sugar, Menengai Oilers, and KCB Rugby, all made a strong start in the 55th edition of the tournament.
The country’s premier rugby 15s competition, the Kenya Cup, kicked off on Saturday, November 22, with six thrilling fixtures staged across various venues.
Daystar Falcons, making their debut in the top flight, received an unforgiving debut, while a returning MMUST also suffered a defeat in their first outing after earning promotion last season.
The heavyweight sides, led by Kabras Sugar, Menengai Oilers, and KCB Rugby, were all off to a promising start in the tournament’s 55th edition.
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Here is a recap of the 25/26 Kenya Cup Round 1 matches recap
Kabras Sugar made a perfect start to their title defense, pummeling newcomers MMUST in the Lurambi Derby.
The Sugar Millers secured a commanding 67-6 victory in the match staged at the ASK Showground in Kakamega County.
The Carlos Katywa-led squad, unbeaten for the last three seasons since 2022, is aiming not only to defend their title but also to clinch a historic fifth successful crown in the top-tier championship.
Kabras seized the initiative early with two quick tries from Asuman Mugerwa and Jeanson, taking a 12-0 lead after one successful conversion.
Flavian Otiyo put MMUST on the board with a penalty kick, but Roy Maruti immediately extended the reigning champions’ advantage to 19-3.
MMUST managed another score just before halftime, but it was insufficient to close the gap, especially after Griffin Chao had further stretched Kabras’s lead; the hosts went into the break leading 26-6.
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The second half was dominated by the Kabras side, who started with two more rapid tries from Jone Kubu and a second for Mugerwa, pushing the score to 36-6.
The Sugarmen then added five more tries, with three successful conversions, making a powerful statement to the league and giving MMUST a harsh welcome back to the top flight.
Meanwhile, last season’s finalists, Menengai Oilers, also began with a flying start, demolishing the debutant Daystar Falcons 76-16 at the ASK Showground in Nakuru.
In Nairobi, Kenya Harlequin secured a hard-fought 23-18 win over Nakuru RFC at the RFUEA Grounds. The Quins, who had a struggling outing in the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit, will be looking to rebound strongly in the 15s format.
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Just down Ngong Road, Nondescripts cruised to a 30-12 victory over Kisumu RFC in an engaging encounter at the Ngong Racecourse.
The Varsity Derby was a nail-biting affair, pitting Strathmore Leos against KU Blak Blad at Kenyatta University. The match ultimately went in favor of the Leos, who edged out a 32-30 win.
Elsewhere, the Andrew Amonde-led KCB, the 2021 champions, launched their campaign emphatically by routing Impala RFC 87-5 – the most significant margin of the day.
They intend to re-establish themselves as title contenders after their semifinal disappointment against Oilers last season.
25/26 Kenya Cup Round 1 Results (Saturday, November 22)
- Kabras Sugar 67-6 Masinde Muliro – ASK Showground, Kakamega
- Menengai Oilers 76-16 Daystar Falcons – ASK Showground, Nakuru
- KCB Rugby 87-5 Impala – KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka
- Nondescripts 36-7 Kisumu RFC – Ngong Racecourse
- KU Blak Blad 30-32 Strathmore Leos – Kenyatta University
- Kenya Harlequin FC 23-18 Nakuru RFC – RFUEA Grounds