Strathmore Leos came from behind to upset Menengai Oilers and advance to their first SportPesa 7s final of the 2026 season with a 21-19 Kabeberi 7s semi-final victory on Sunday afternoon at the RFUA Grounds.
Leos, who finished runners-up in the SportPesa 7s circuit last season, had failed to reach the final in either of the opening two legs of the 2026 campaign the Prinsloo 7s and Dala 7s, where they finished sixth and ninth, respectively.
Oilers, on the other hand, were seeking their second consecutive final appearance this season after reaching the decider at the Dala 7s.
However, they suffered a late setback when Elton Amalemba’s dying-minute try, converted by Arnold Muita, propelled the university side into the final.
Oilers made a promising start, pinning Leos inside their own half before opening the scoring through Beldad Ogeta, who darted down the left wing and dived over the line, with Glacious Owino adding the extras.
Before half-time, Leos restored parity after spotting space out wide on the right. A well-worked attack created an opening for Stanalus Shikoli to cross the line, with Muita converting to level the contest.
The second half began with Leos maintaining their momentum, and they soon doubled their advantage after Patrick Kluivert put them ahead.
Their lead, however, was short-lived as Daniel Kipchirchir burst through the defence, beating Victor Mola to score a try that Philip Okeyo converted. Leos then extended their advantage through Paul Mutsami.
Despite maintaining their narrow lead, Leos found themselves pinning Oilers deep in their own half. They created an opening, allowing Amalemba to sway through for a try, with Muita converting from the far end as Leos picked that narrow win and book their place in the final.
Making their appearance in the Kabeberi 7s final, Leos now have another stern test awaiting them later in the evening when they face KCB Rugby, an opponent they encountered several times in last season’s deciders.
The Bankers booked their place in the final after exacting revenge on Kenya Harlequins with a convincing 26-7 victory.
Against Quins, KCB made an assertive start. After Wabwire broke through the defence, the advantage fell to Samwel Asati, who picked up the loose ball and crossed for the opening try, although Brian Wahinya missed the conversion.
The Bankers soon doubled their advantage following sustained pressure, with Wabwire offloading to Vincent Onyala, who spotted a gap in the Quins defence and surged through to make it 12-0.
Immediately after the restart, KCB resumed their assault despite Quins making a spirited start.
Wabwire executed a clever kick-and-chase, using his pace to outstrip his markers before regathering the ball and racing between the posts. Wahinya added the extras to stretch the lead to 19-0.
KCB sealed their victory and completed their revenge when Jenkins Kipruto outpaced his markers and found a clear passage to the line for a 26-7 triumph, despite Brian Omondi scoring a consolation try for Quins.
Quins will face Oilers in the third-place playoff later in the day.
Kabeberi 7s Sunday, August 16 — Knockout Stage Results
Challenge Cup Quarterfinals
- 9:00am — Kisumu 12-0 CUEA Monks
- 9:20am — Nakuru 10-5 Mombasa RFC
- 9:40am — Nondies 27-5 Impala RFC
- 10:00am — Zetech Oaks 0-21 MMUST
Main Cup Quarterfinals
- 10:20am — Mwamba RFC 5-7 Kenya Harlequins
- 10:40am — KCB Rugby 10-7 KU Blak Blad
- 11:00am — Strathmore Leos 27-12 Daystar Falcons
- 11:20am — Menengai Oilers 12-7 Kabras Sugar
Men’s Classification/Cup Matches
- 12:20pm — Catholic Monks vs Mombasa RFC
- 12:40pm — Zetech vs Impala
- 1:00pm — Kisumu vs Nakuru
- 1:20pm — MMUST vs Nondies
- 1:40pm — Daystar Falcons vs Kabras Sugar
- 2:00pm — Blak Blad vs Mwamba
- 2:20pm — Quins vs KCB
- 2:40pm — Oilers vs Leos
Finals Programme
- 3:20pm — Men’s 5th-place match
- 3:42pm — Women’s third-place playoff
- 4:04pm — Men’s third-place playoff
- 4:26pm — Division Two Final
- 4:48pm — Women’s Final
- 5:10pm — Division One Men’s Final