Mwamba RFC earn Kenya Cup promotion after a season in the cold

Former Kenya Cup champions Mwamba RFC are back where they believe they belong after producing a clinical attacking display to secure promotion to the Kenya Cup with a 41-26 victory over Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) Monks on Saturday, 18 April at the Goan Institute.

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The Black Shirts capped off a remarkable turnaround season, returning to the top tier just a year after suffering their first-ever relegation in March 2025.

That drop came despite a 29-15 win over Blak Blad, with Mwamba undone by an inferior head-to-head record and points differential in a campaign marked by the loss of key players and the absence of a home ground.

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Under the guidance of former Kenya Sevens tactician Paul Murunga, Mwamba have rebuilt with purpose, and their semifinal performance showed just how far they have come.

CUEA Monks drew first blood with an early penalty to take a 3-0 lead, but Mwamba quickly settled. Eugene Ojiambo leveled the scores with a well-struck kick before adding another penalty for a 6-3 advantage. He then crossed over for a try, though he could not convert, stretching the lead to 10-3.

The Monks responded with a try of their own to narrow the gap to 10-8, and a penalty later brought them within three points at 14-11 after Ojiambo had added another kick. However, Charles Kuka injected momentum back into Mwamba’s game with a brilliant try, sending the hosts into the break with a comfortable 21-11 cushion.

Mwamba came out firing in the second half. Denis Ndayala struck almost immediately and followed up with a second try moments later, completing a quick brace that pushed the lead to 31-11 and put the game firmly in their control.

To their credit, CUEA Monks refused to fold. A try and a penalty saw them claw back to 31-26, briefly threatening an unlikely comeback. But Mwamba held their nerve. Kuka added a crucial penalty before Brian Mutugi powered ove for a decisive try, with Kuka converting to seal a commanding 41-26 win.

There was a late blemish for Mwamba as George Omolla was sent to the sin bin, raising minor discipline concerns, but it did little to take away from an otherwise dominant performance.

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