- Kenyan rugby 2025 experienced a season of mixed fortunes – a true rollercoaster defined by both significant milestones and notable setbacks.
- In this review, SportPesa Blog takes a closer look at some of the major events that made headlines throughout the season.
- From the sport’s governing body, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), to the fans, national teams, and clubs, the year was shaped by several defining moments, for better or worse.
The Kenyan rugby scene in 2025 has experienced its share of ups and downs, with both promising and challenging developments unfolding.
From the body governing the sport, the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), to the fans and the clubs, this year has been defined by several key events, for better or worse.
In this piece, the SportPesa Blog takes a look at the pivotal moments that shaped Kenyan rugby this year; from the KRU leadership, tournaments, and the World Rugby Series to fan critiques.
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Kenyan Rugby 2025 Review
The KRU Saga: Shasha Mutai resigns as Harriet Okatch reigns
You cannot recount Kenyan rugby in 2025 without revisiting the drama within the Kenya Rugby Union.
It saw former Chairperson Alexander “Shasha” Mutai resign on Friday, May 30, citing a need to protect his integrity amid intensifying boardroom disputes.
ALSO READ: Sasha Mutai resigns as KRU Chairman: Full Reasons
The former rugby player further revealed that certain board members opposed his continued leadership.
Thus, following his departure, the KRU Board convened on June 5, 2025, and unanimously appointed Harriet Okatch as Chairperson to complete the remainder of the term.
ALSO READ: KRU appoints Acting Chairman after Sasha Mutai’s resignation
Okatch made history as the first woman to lead the KRU and is expected to remain in office until the tenure concludes in 2027.
Kenya 7s teams Lionesses & Shujaa book ticket to newly Launched HSBC Division 2 series
Kenya Lionesses make history
This was a landmark year for the Kenya 7s teams, particularly the Kenya Lionesses under coach Dennis Mwanja.
They secured their place in the history books by qualifying for the revamped HSBC SVNS Division 2 for the first time.
This achievement crowned a strong 2024–2025 season in the HSBC Challenger Series, where the squad demonstrated remarkable progress throughout the campaign.
The Lionesses began their journey in style, making a powerful statement in the opening two legs of the Challenger Series in South Africa.
They dominated the field topping the overall standings with 40 points and establishing themselves as serious contenders.
ALSO READ: Kenya Lionesses clobber South Africa to clinch second consecutive Challenger Series titles
In the third leg in Poland, the Lionesses maintained their consistency, once again finishing at the summit0- a result that earned them a spot in the Challenger Playoffs in Los Angeles.
However, their campaign in LA started poorly. The Lionesses lost two of their three pool matches, securing just one victory.
Despite this, a third-place finish in their pool was enough to send them into the playoff final.
ALSO READ: Dennis Mwanja: Meet the iron man behind Kenya Lionesses incredible Challenger Series run
The final pitted them against continental rivals South Africa, where they defied the odds to secure a 17-14 victory at full time.
Shujaa’s rollercoaster ride in the HSBC SVNS 2024/25 season
The same applied to the men’s national team, Shujaa, though their scenario differed.
Under coach Kevin Wambua, the side had earned promotion back to the HSBC Series last season before its revamp and faced a particularly challenging outing this year.
Shujaa’s 2024/25 season began in Dubai with a 10th-place finish after a loss to Uruguay.
The team showed improvement in the second leg in Cape Town, finishing 7th. However, consistency proved elusive, with a 10th-place finish in Perth during the third leg.
The fourth leg in Canada was their toughest outing, as they finished last marking the lowest point of their season.
ALSO READ: How Kenya 7s can regain top-tier status following format change by World Rugby
In Hong Kong, the team placed 10th again after falling to South Africa.
A season highlight came in Singapore during the sixth leg, where Shujaa reached the Cup final, finishing second after a 21-12 loss to Fiji.
This podium finish offered hope as they fought to retain their core status.
Despite their efforts, Shujaa sat 9th in the overall standings before the final leg in Los Angeles.
With World Rugby’s release of the new 2026 fixtures, their path to remaining in the top tier narrowed significantly.
In Los Angeles, the team delivered mixed results in the pool stage, with one win and two losses.
ALSO READ: Kenya 7s book ticket to newly launched Division 2
However, they rebounded in the playoff final with a 24-5 win over Canada, securing their place in the 2026 HSBC Division 2.
Although they did not maintain their spot in the HSBC top tier, Wambua’s squad was testing the waters, as the coach had entrusted young, fresh talent to prove their worth- and they did.
Kenya wins bid to host the HSBC SVNS Division 2 in 2026
In thrilling news for the Kenyan rugby fraternity this year, World Rugby officially confirmed in November that Kenya will host one of the three HSBC SVNS Division 2 events for the 2026 season.
During the official launch for the HSBC SVNS 2026 season in Dubai, it was confirmed that Nairobi will stage the first event.
ALSO READ: World Rugby confirm Nairobi as host city for elite HSBC SVNS Division 2 tournament
The tournament, to be known as the HSBC Nairobi Sevens, will take place on February 14-15 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Following Nairobi, the second event will be held in Montevideo, Uruguay on March 21-22, before the final outing in São Paulo, Brazil from March 28-29.
Kenya Lionesses host the Africa Women’s Rugby 7s 2025
Another key event was the Kenya Lionesses hosting the Africa Women’s 7s for the second time.
The tournament was staged at the RFUEA grounds in November, where the South Africa Women’s Boks edged out the Kenya Lionesses 22-0 to retain the title.
The Lionesses settled for second place, while the Uganda Lady Cranes finished third.
Kenyan Rugby 2025: Safari 7s returned to Nairobi as Kenya 7s teams shone
Meanwhile, one of the nation’s premier tournaments, the Safari 7s, enjoyed a successful outing in October 2025.
Both Shujaa and the Lionesses were crowned champions in a thrilling three-day event at Nyayo National Stadium- a feat last accomplished in 2021.
Led by Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua, Shujaa navigated the tournament unbeaten from the group stages to the final, setting up a title clash with Shogun Rugby for the third consecutive year (2023, 2024, and 2025).
The Kenya Lionesses capped off the tournament by reclaiming the women’s title in a narrow 14-10 victory over neighbors Uganda.
This East African derby saw them win the championship they last held in 2021, avenging losses to the Uganda Lady Cranes in 2023 and Costa Blanca in 2024.
Other headlines in Kenyan Rugby 2025 included:
The Kenya national 15s side, the Simbas, once again failed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup after falling 23-29 to Zimbabwe in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup semifinal held in Uganda.
The SportPesa National Sevens Circuit 2025 was a thrilling spectacle across six events, with KCB ultimately reclaiming the overall title after winning four of the tournaments and reaching every final.
ALSO READ: KCB Rugby crowned 2025 SportPesa 7s Champions, make history with record fifth title
Finally, the fans of Kenyan rugby have been a vocal force for the local game, offering critique and demanding greater accountability and transparency from the Kenya Rugby Union and affiliated clubs.
