By GPC Sports Desk
KCB Rugby retained the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit title for a second consecutive season as Menengai Oilers defeated Strathmore Leos to win the Christie Sevens in Nairobi on Sunday.
KCB were confirmed as overall champions after both they and closest rivals Kabras Sugar were eliminated in the semi-finals at the RFUEA Grounds, bringing the season-long title race to an end.
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The Bankers completed their campaign with a 5-0 victory over Kabras in the third-place play-off, George Ooro scoring the decisive try in sudden death.
Oilers, meanwhile, claimed their first leg title of the season after overcoming Strathmore Leos 24-12 in the Christie Sevens final.
Glacious Owino opened the scoring for Oilers before substitute Chrispine Shitundo added two tries to secure victory.
The final brought together two sides that had not featured in the finals of the previous five legs, providing an unexpected conclusion to the six-leg campaign.
Leos stun KCB
Strathmore produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by beating KCB 19-12 in the semi-finals.
A last-minute penalty try ended the Bankers’ hopes of finishing their title-winning season with another leg victory.
Oilers then secured their place in the final by defeating an injury-hit Kabras Sugar 20-10.
The two results effectively settled the overall championship, with KCB’s accumulated points giving them an unassailable lead over Kabras.
KCB’s consistency across the six legs proved decisive as they secured their third successive overall title.
Kabras finished second overall, with Oilers taking third place.
SportPesa backs national circuit
The conclusion of the 2026 season marked another year of SportPesa’s involvement in the National Sevens Circuit, with the company investing KSh34.14 million in the competition.
SportPesa CEO Captain Ronald Karauri said the season had demonstrated the growing competitiveness of Kenyan rugby.
“The 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit has once again demonstrated the quality, competitiveness and passion that define Kenyan rugby,” Karauri said.
“From the opening leg to the Christie Sevens finale, we have witnessed outstanding performances, fierce rivalries and a level of competition that continues to raise the bar for the sport.”
Karauri also highlighted the participation of Division Two and women’s teams, who featured in the circuit for the first time.
“We congratulate everyone who made this season such a great success, more so teams in the Division 2 and women’s teams who featured in this circuit for the first time,” he said.
“We also commend all the participating clubs, players, coaches and fans who have contributed to another successful campaign.”
The 2026 circuit began with the Prinsloo Sevens in Nakuru before moving to Kisumu for the Dala Sevens, Nairobi for the Kabeberi Sevens, Mombasa for the Driftwood Sevens and Embu for the penultimate leg. The Christie Sevens brought the campaign to a close in Nairobi.
KCB, Mwamba take overall titles
KCB received KSh300,000 for winning the men’s overall circuit, while Kabras Sugar earned KSh150,000 as runners-up and Menengai Oilers KSh100,000 for finishing third.
In the women’s competition, Mwamba were crowned overall champions and received KSh200,000.
Quins Queens finished second on KSh100,000, while Kiambaa Ladies took third place and KSh50,000.
