- Strathmore Leos suffered a major blow in the 2026 rugby transfer window, losing some of their key players.
- Impala RFC were the busiest club in the transfer market, bringing in 40 new recruits, while Kabras Sugar made just three signings.
- The 2026/27 season kicks off with the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit.
With the new rugby season just around the corner, clubs across Kenya’s Nationwide League, Championship, and Kenya Cup have been busy in the transfer market, all eager to strengthen their squads ahead of the upcoming campaign, with the SportPesa National 7s circuit first up on the calendar.
One of the biggest transfer stories of the season saw Strathmore Leos lose some of their key players to Kenya Rugby giants competing in the top flight.
Barnabas Owuor has brought an end to his long association with Strathmore Leos.
The experienced forward leaves the university side to join Nondescripts RFC, where he is expected to add leadership, experience, and physicality to the Ngong Road outfit as they continue building towards the 2026/27 campaign.
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Kenya Rugby transfer window closes ahead of new season
Meanwhile, the Leos also suffered another major blow after Kenya Sevens international Nygel Amaitsa completed a move to KCB Rugby.
Amaitsa’s departure marks another significant loss for the university side while providing the Thika Road-based club with one of the country’s most dynamic attacking players.
However, despite losing two of their key players, the 2026 Ruff N Tuff champions have strengthened their squad with 10 new signings, including Charles Wangwe and Dennis Mutembei from Catholic Monks.
Other clubs were equally active in the transfer market. Impala RFC, after surviving relegation last season, opted to add greater depth to their squad by bringing in 40 new recruits, while Makueni Ravens followed with 33 new additions.
Mwamba RFC, fresh from earning promotion to the Kenya Cup after winning the Championship, have the third-highest number of signings, bringing in 29 new faces as they prepare for life back in the top flight and look to avoid a repeat of a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.
Last season was a difficult one for Kenya Harlequins, who saw nearly half of their squad depart midway through the sevens circuit.
They have since responded by recruiting 21 new players to strengthen their squad ahead of the new campaign.
SportPesa National Sevens Circuit defending champions KCB, besides snapping up Amaitsa from Strathmore Leos, have also secured the services of promising Shujaa youngster David Nyangige from Impala RFC, alongside six other new signings.
Defending Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar RFC were relatively quiet in the market, making just three additions: Caleb Owino from MMUST, Mike Ochieng from Kisii RFC, and Philemon Olang.
In Nakuru, Menengai Oilers have made two notable acquisitions. Former Kenya Simbas international Paul Mutsami returns to Kenyan rugby after a brief spell in Uganda.
The club has also signed long-serving MMUST RFC player Veron Kaburu, whose arrival provides another important boost to the Nakuru-based outfit ahead of the new season.
With the transfer window now closed, attention shifts from recruitment to preparations for the new campaign.
Teams will now turn their full focus to the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit, which gets underway in Nakuru County with the Prinsloo Sevens on July 25 and 26, marking the opening leg of this year’s annual sevens caravan.