The 2026 Safari 7s came to a close on Sunday, October 11, with Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses retaining their titles at Nyayo National Stadium after three days of thrilling rugby and entertainment.
The tournament marked 30 years since its inception in 1996, celebrating three decades of rugby, talent, and unforgettable moments despite missing a few editions along the way.
From the action on the pitch to the music and fan experience off it, Safari 7s delivered on its billing as Africa’s premier rugby safari.
In this piece, SportPesa Blog Kenya looks at the key talking points from the 2026 Safari 7s.
ALSO READ: Shujaa seal Safari 7s five-peat with commanding victory over Kenya Morans
Safari 7s 2026 talking points
Shujaa were simply too good as they retained their crown
If there was one team that made its intentions clear, it was Shujaa.
Kevin Wambua’s men came into the tournament ready to defend their title, and they did exactly that.
After opening their campaign with a 21-21 draw against South Africa’s SportPesa Fast Forward 7s, Kenya 7s found their rhythm and finished the group stage unbeaten, topping Pool A ahead of SportPesa Fast Forward 7s, Scotland and Uganda 7s.
From there, they barely looked back. Wonder 7s were swept aside 54-5 in the Main Cup quarter-finals before French Grenadiers suffered a 36-0 defeat in the semi-finals.
That set up an all-Kenyan final against their younger brothers, Kenya Morans, the second-string men’s national 7s side.
ALSO READ: Kenya Morans avenge Shogun defeat to set up all-Kenyan Safari 7s final against Shujaa
The Morans put up a fight, but Shujaa turned on the style in the second half to seal a 21-5 victory and lift the trophy once again.
Tries from Rayvon Ambale, Victor Mola, Festus Shiasi, and John Okoth helped get the job done.
And this was no ordinary victory. Shujaa made it five consecutive Safari 7ss titles across 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, taking their overall tally to a record 15 titles.
They also extended their unbeaten run at the tournament to 29 consecutive matches, with their last defeat coming against Germany in the 2021 group stage.
Shujaa’s new faces showed they belong
Beyond the trophy, one of the biggest positives for Shujaa was the way their emerging players stepped up.
Elvis Olukusi of KCB, Rayvon Ambale of Kabras Sugar, and Glacious Owino from Menengai Oiler were among the fresh faces who grabbed their opportunity with both hands, showing that Kenya’s 7s setup has plenty of exciting talent coming through.
Ambale made his presence felt in attack, crossing the try line against Kenya Morans, French Grenades and Scotland.
Although he missed a few conversions, he still showed plenty of promise and made valuable contributions throughout the tournament.
ALSO READ: Morans thrash SportPesa Fast Forward 7s as Shujaa rout Wonder 7s to book Safari 7s semifinals
Then there was Owino, who looks like one for the future of Kenya’s 7s rugby.
His integration into the national side proved a promising move, with the Oilers youngster showing off powerful carries, clever offloads, and an eye for the try line.
Despite coming off the bench, Owino made his mark against several opponents, including French Grenades, Uganda 7s, and SportPesa Fast Forward 7s.
Olukusi was another standout performer. The KCB man arguably had one of the most impressive weekends in the Shujaa camp, proving to be a real game-changer when it mattered most.
His efforts earned him the Finals MVP award, and he finished the tournament with three tries. For a debutant, that was quite an introduction.
While the newcomers caught the eye, established players also played their part.
Gabriel Ayimba enjoyed a solid outing, contributing a couple of tries and remaining a dependable presence throughout the competition.
Meanwhile, his Strathmore teammate Victor Mola finished as the tournament’s top try-scorer with an impressive eight tries.
For Shujaa, the weekend was not just about defending a title. It was also about discovering new match-winners who could help carry the team forward.
Tenacious Kenya Morans fall just short of the crown
While Shujaa took home the gold, Kenya Morans had plenty to be proud of after finishing second to claim the silver medal.
The second-string men’s national sevens side came into the competition hoping to reclaim the title they last won in 2019.
Although they fell short against their senior counterparts, the runners-up finish was still an encouraging step forward after taking bronze in 2025.
The Morans matched Shujaa’s group-stage record, picking up two wins and a draw before stepping up another gear in the knockout rounds.
They dispatched SportPesa Fast Forward 7s 38-15 in the quarter-finals before getting their revenge against Shogun, beating them 31-10 to book their place in the final.
Unfortunately, Shujaa proved a step too far on the day, but the Morans showed enough quality to suggest that there is plenty more to come from this group.
One of the most encouraging aspects of their campaign was the number of fresh faces in the squad.
Clinton Amukwachi, Mathias Osimbo, Stanislaus Shikoli, Patrick Kluivert, Mike Lukusi, Harrison Mauve, and Brighton Omondi were among the new names in Louis Kisia’s team, and they all had an opportunity to showcase their abilities on a big stage.
Having also won the Mauritius 7s a few weeks earlier, these youngsters will be eager to build on that success and push for opportunities in the senior national setup.
With Shujaa targeting a place in HSBC SVNS 2 next year, the Morans will be hoping to keep knocking on the door and prove that they, too, have what it takes to represent Kenya at the highest level.
Kenya Lionesses keep their crown in the women’s category
The men might have grabbed plenty of attention, but the Kenya Lionesses also had business to take care of, and they got it done.
With six teams competing in a round-robin format, the Lionesses finished the tournament unbeaten, collecting 15 points to retain their overall title.
They registered victories over Junior Lionesses, Tunisia, Kenya Shibli, and TUKS Women before wrapping up their campaign with a convincing 22-5 win over Uganda Lady Cranes in the title decider.
Maureen Muritu capped off an impressive tournament by being named the Most Valuable Player.
It was another reminder of the Lionesses’ consistency and their ability to deliver when it matters most.
The tournament also offered valuable exposure to the young-blooded Junior Lionesses, who finished without a win but gained crucial experience against more established opposition.
While the results may not have gone their way, the experience of competing against senior players will be important for their development.
For the Lionesses, it was another title defence completed. For the youngsters, it was another step towards the future.
SportPesa TV brings the Safari 7s experience to fans at home
Not everyone could make it to Nyayo Stadium, but that did not mean they had to miss out on the action.
Through SportPesa TV, leading gaming firm SportPesa brought fans three days of live rugby, tries, tackles, interviews, and all the excitement that comes with Safari Sevens.
The matches were streamed live on the SportPesa YouTube channel, while the Kenya Rugby Union also broadcast the action on Facebook, giving fans different ways to follow the tournament.
The numbers told their own story. At the time of writing, the over-three-hour opening broadcast on Friday had attracted approximately 60,000 views, while Saturday’s coverage had surpassed 100,000.
The final day, meanwhile, had drawn more than 180,000 views.
With no major streaming hitches reported throughout the tournament, SportPesa TV helped bring the stadium atmosphere to fans who could not attend in person.
And there was more to the SportPesa experience than rugby alone. Fans also got the chance to see a Formula 1 car brought in by SportPesa for display throughout the three-day festival, adding another attraction to an already packed weekend.
The rugby was great, but the vibes were just as good
Let’s be honest: Safari 7s has never been just about what happens on the pitch.
The rugby brings the crowd together, but the music, food, drinks, and after-parties are a huge part of the experience too. And this year, the entertainment scene understood the assignment.
The weekend kicked off on Friday with DJ Confy and DJ Grill setting the mood before Saturday brought an even bigger party atmosphere.
Genge heavyweight Mejja and hip-hop star Breeder LW took centre stage, keeping the crowd entertained alongside top DJs Joe Mfalme and Protege.
But Sunday had a special moment of its own. Ohangla maestro Prince Indah took to the pitch before the tournament finals and captivated the stadium crowd with an energetic performance.
It was the kind of moment that reminded everyone that Safari Sevens is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the rugby.
And he was not done yet. Prince Indah carried that energy into the official Sunday night after-party, treating fans to his popular tracks.
He shared the closing-day spotlight with legendary performer Nameless, whose classics include Sinzia and Ninanoki, alongside the energetic Ssaru, known for club favourites such as Kaskie Vibaya and Dhudha.
The result? A fitting end to three days of rugby, music, and unforgettable vibes. Whether fans came for the tries, the performances, or simply the atmosphere, there was something for ever yone.
All in all, the 2026 Safari 7s was a weekend well spent. The rugby was competitive, the Kenyan teams got the job done, the emerging players gave fans plenty to look forward to, and the entertainment kept the atmosphere alive from Friday to Sunday.
