- Kabras Sugar vs KCB Rugby face off in the 2025/26 Kenya Cup final.
- The match will be played on Saturday, May 9, at the ASK Showground in Kakamega.
- Kick-off is set for 3:00pm EAT.
Rugby fans are in for a treat on Saturday, as the curtains come down on the 2025/26 Kenya Cup season, with reigning champions Kabras Sugar hosting rivals KCB Rugby at the ASK Showground in Kakamega in a blockbuster finale.
The stakes could be higher for both outfits, as each is chasing its own slice of history: Kabras are aiming to complete a five-peat, while KCB will be desperate to halt them and clinch their first title since their last triumph back in 2021.
The Sugar Millers are hunting a fifth consecutive crown, having dominated the Rugby 15s Premier League since 2022.
Across those four seasons, they have captured three of them unbeaten and are now chasing another campaign without a loss.
Carlos Katywa’s charges are on a 53-match undefeated streak. Their last defeat over the past four seasons came during the 21/22 regular season when they fell to the same opponents – before recovering in the final to lift the trophy.
Kabras coach Katywa believes his side have sorted out their connections, and now all that remains is to execute their plan to seize a fifth title, his fifth since joining the club.
“The guys are looking very sharp, and there’s a fantastic team camaraderie. I’m just loving the vibe there’s an ease among the boys,” Katywa told the SportPesa Blog on Friday.
“There’s not a heap of pressure, which is pretty nice. We’ve prepped well. We’ve had a solid two weeks to get ready. This week, we focused on two things: we tried to rediscover ourselves. There was a bit of disconnection within the club, within the team.
Kabras made it to the final after finishing first in the regular season with 52 points, then earning a direct semifinal ticket where they faced KU Black Blad and routed them 48-15.
But standing in the way of their fifth straight title are the Bankers, who have arrived not just to win but to avenge four years of trophy drought.
Under coach Andrew Amonde, KCB last reached the cup final in 2024, where they slumped 29-5 to the same rivals, adding extra fuel as they hunt for redemption in Kenya Cup, which they last won back in 2021.
READ MORE: Kabras boss explains why veteran Dukisa is back as their secret weapon for 25/26 Kenya Cup final
And the drama is just as intense for them: the man who guided them to that last title in 2021 is now their head coach, Amonde, who will be looking to restore all their lost glory after being appointed on an interim basis in 2025 to replace Dennis Mwanja.
“We’ve grown a lot as a team this season. The boys understand what’s at stake, and we’re ready to deliver a complete performance.
“Kabras are a strong side, but we’ve shown we can hang with them, and now it’s about executing our game plan on the day,” Amonde said ahead of the title decider set for the Kakamega Showground on 9 May 2026.
What time does the Kenya Cup final start – Kabras Sugar vs KCB Rugby?
The two will lock horns on Saturday, May 9, at the ASK Showground Kakamega, with kick-off set for 3:00 pm EAT.
Kabras Sugar vs KCB Rugby team news
Katywa has already named his squad to face the Bankers, with Walter Okoth replacing Young, and Roy Maruti set to start at scrum-half.
In the back three, top points scorer Eric Cantona shifts to the right wing while Jackson Siketa moves to fullback in a positional switch.
They have kept the midfield pairing of Bryson Adaka and Derrick Ashihundu. Up front, there are minimal changes, with Emmanuel Otieno coming in to start alongside Eugene Sifuna and Asuman Mugerwa in the front row.
Hillary Odhiambo and Shem Joseph have once again been named in the second row, while George Nyambua, returning Patrick Lumumba, and Jeanson Misoga complete the starting XV.
Meanwhile, for the Bankers, coach Amonde has handed Nick Okulo the captain’s armband, with the skipper set to lead from the front row alongside Fidel Maina and Whilhite Mususi. Emmanuel Silungi partners Winstone Macharia in the second row, while Elvis Olukusi, George Ooro, and Sheldon Kahi complete the back row.
Samuel Asati starts at scrum-half with Brian Wahinya named at fly-half. In midfield, Bob Muhati links up with Richel Wangila, while Vincent Onyala and Muhati provide pace on the wings. Isaac Njoroge starts at fullback.
READ MORE: KCB ready to end Kabras Sugar’s perfect run in the Kenya Cup 25/26 final
Kabras Sugar vs KCB Rugby head-to-head record and recent meetings
In the last 26 matches between these two sides, KCB hold the better record with 13 wins compared to Kabras’ 11, while they’ve drawn twice. According to data driven by Tisini, KCB have managed to score 574 points against 483 for the Millers.
The most recent meeting between the two sides was in the regular-season encounter played at the KCB Sports Club Ruaraka, where Kabras staged a comeback to force a 10-10 draw in a match that was suspended in the second half due to heavy rain.
Kabras Sugar Starting XV
1.Emmanuel Otieno 2.Eugine Sifuna 3.Asuman Mugerwa 4.Hillary Odhiambo 5.Shem Joseph 6.George Nyambua 7.Patrick Lumumba 8.Jeanson Misoga 9.Roy Maruti 10.Walter Okoth 11.Eric Cantona 12.Bryceson Adaka 13. Derrick Ashiundu 14.Mathias Osimbo 15. Jackson Siketi
Substitution – 16. Teddy Akala 17. Edward Mwaura 18. Ephraim Oduor 19. Kevin Wekesa 20. Collins Indeche 21. Brian Tanga 22.Alfred Orege 23. Ntabeni Dukisa
KCB Starting XV
1. Nick Okullo 2.Fidel Maina 3.Wilhite Mususi 4.Emmanuel Silungi 5.Winstone Macharia 6.Elvis Olukusi 7.George Ooro 8.Sheldon Kahi 9.Samuel Asati 10.Brian Wahinya 11.Festus Shiasi 12.Bob Muhati 13.Richel Wangila 14.Vincent Onyala 15.Isaac Njoroge
Substitution – 16. Wilfred Waswa 17. Thomas Okidia 18. Eric Miheso 19. Brian Munyali 20. Churchill Otieno 21. Eric Opondo 22. Mike Wekesa 23. Elvis Namusasi