New KSSSA rugby sevens champions beckon as defending kings fall
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 15.07.26. | 18:39
Western Region will be represented by Mbakalo Girls and Kimobo Girls, while Nyanza has qualified Sigoti Girls and Nyagichenche
The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Rugby Sevens as the country's best boys' and girls' teams prepare to battle for national honors at the 2026 Term Two Games in Thika.
Unlike last year, this edition arrives with both competitions wide open.
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The defending boys' champions, St. Peter's Mumias, will not be part of the national championship after their title defense ended in the Western Region semifinals, while the girls' competition promises another fascinating battle as Kinale Girls seek to retain the title they won in 2025.
The absence of St. Peter's Mumias guarantees that the boys' competition will produce a new national champion, extending a trend that has become synonymous with school rugby in Kenya.
Unlike some disciplines where dynasties have dominated for years, the boys' rugby sevens title has regularly changed hands.
Since 2011, only Kakamega High School, Upper Hill School and Koyonzo Boys have successfully defended the national crown.
Maseno School won the championship in 2011 before reclaiming the title in 2014.
Kakamega High School followed with back-to-back triumphs in 2012 and 2013, while Upper Hill lifted the trophy in 2016 before reclaiming it three years later.
Menengai High School broke through in 2017 before Laiser Hill Academy claimed the 2018 title, highlighting the competitiveness of the sport across the country.
Koyonzo Boys then established themselves as the team to beat with consecutive championships in 2022 and 2023 before Bwake Boys lifted the title in 2024 and St. Peter's Mumias followed in 2025.
With every champion from the last five editions now out of contention, this year's championship presents an opportunity for another school to write its name into KSSSA history.
Western Region champions Friends School Bokoli arrive at the nationals carrying significant momentum after ending St. Peter's Mumias' reign in the regional semifinals before defeating Butula Boys to claim their first-ever Western Region Rugby Sevens title.
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Both Bokoli and Butula will represent Western Region in Thika.
Rift Valley will once again field traditional rugby powerhouses Laiser Hill Academy and St. Antony's Kitale, while Nairobi Region will be represented by former national champions Upper Hill School alongside Nairobi School.
Nyanza Region has qualified Cardinal Otunga Mosocho and Anjego, Eastern Region will be represented by Kitondo School and All Saints Embu.
Coast Region's hopes rest with Kwale High School and Tononoka Secondary School.
Central Region will have the largest representation, with Njabini, Kamuiru Boys, Kirangari and Mutige all securing qualification.
While the boys' championship has a rich history stretching back more than a decade, the girls' competition continues to grow at an impressive pace.
Girls' Rugby Sevens was first introduced to the KSSSA calendar in 2015 as an exhibition event before becoming an official national championship in 2024 following years of development spearheaded by the Kenya Rugby Union.
Since attaining official status, only two schools have lifted the national trophy.
St. Joseph's Girls dominated the inaugural edition, winning the first official championship and establishing themselves as the early benchmark in the girls' game.
Their reign ended last year when Kinale Girls captured their maiden national title, signaling the emergence of a new force in Kenyan school rugby.
Kinale return to this year's championship as defending champions after successfully retaining the Central Region title, making them the team to beat once again.
However, they will face stiff competition from a field that continues to grow stronger each year.
Western Region will be represented by Mbakalo Girls and Kimobo Girls, while Nyanza has qualified Sigoti Girls and Nyagichenche.
The Coast Region will send Moi Forces and Paul Harris, Nairobi will be represented by Mbagathi Girls and Caren C Girls, while Eastern Region brings St. Teresa and Muvuti.
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The expanding geographical spread of qualifiers illustrates the rapid development of girls' rugby across the country.
What began as an exhibition discipline has quickly evolved into one of the most competitive events at the KSSSA Term Two Games, with more schools investing in structured rugby programmes and producing players capable of progressing to the national youth teams.
As the teams converge in Thika, the storylines are already taking shape.
The boys' competition is guaranteed to crown a new champion following the elimination of St. Peter's Mumias, while the girls' tournament will determine whether Kinale can successfully defend their crown or whether another school will rise to the top.