New Season, New Challengers

The premier domestic rugby competition, the Kenya Cup, is set to return on Saturday, November 22, 2025, with a series of compelling fixtures across the country. The new season, announced by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), will see defending champions Kabras Sugar RFC embark on their quest for a fifth consecutive title. However, much of the national focus will be on the performance of two newly promoted teams: Daystar University Falcons, making their historic top-flight debut, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), who are returning after a season's absence.

A Baptism of Fire for the Newboys

The opening weekend presents a formidable challenge for both university teams. Daystar Falcons will travel to the Nakuru ASK Showground to face last season's finalists, Menengai Oilers. The Falcons secured their hard-earned promotion after a commanding 29-10 victory over Catholic Monks in the KRU Championship semi-final on March 29, 2025, a culmination of a journey that saw them win the 2021/22 KRU Nationwide title and endure several near-misses in the Championship playoffs. Head Coach Caleb Bosire, a former captain of the side, has been instrumental in their ascent, building a resilient squad that lost only one match in the 2024/2025 Championship regular season.

Meanwhile, MMUST RFC faces an equally daunting task as they travel to the Kakamega Showground for a Western derby against the formidable Kabras Sugar. MMUST's return to the Kenya Cup was sealed with a dominant 46-9 win over Zetech Oaks in their semi-final playoff. Having been relegated in the 2022/2023 season, their swift return demonstrates a determined effort to re-establish themselves in the top tier. Their promotion, alongside Daystar's, brings the number of university teams in the elite division to four, joining Kenyatta University's Blak Blad and Strathmore Leos, signaling a significant moment for varsity rugby in Kenya.

Kabras Sugar's Unrelenting Dominance

Kabras Sugar enters the season as the undisputed kings of Kenyan club rugby, having remained unbeaten for the past three consecutive seasons. Their dominance was cemented in the last season's final on April 12, 2025, where they edged out a determined Menengai Oilers in a nail-biting 27-26 victory at the Kakamega Showground. The sugar millers have built a dynasty, consistently showcasing a blend of power, skill, and tactical acumen that has left their rivals struggling to keep pace. Their opening fixture against neighbours MMUST will be an early test of their resolve as they aim to continue their remarkable winning streak. The last time Kabras tasted defeat in the Kenya Cup was in February 2022 against KCB.

Other Key Fixtures and Season Outlook

The opening day on Saturday, November 22, 2025, will also see several other high-stakes encounters. In Nairobi, perennial contenders KCB Rugby will host the returning Impala RFC at the KCB Ruaraka Sports Club. Other matches include Nondescripts versus Kisumu at the Ngong Racecourse, a university derby between KU Blak Blad and Strathmore Leos at Kenyatta University, and a clash between Kenya Harlequin and Nakuru RFC at the RFUEA Grounds. The season will follow a one-off round-robin format, with the league phase concluding on March 14, 2026, before heading into the playoffs in April. The grand final is scheduled for May 2, 2026, where the 2025/2026 champion will be crowned. The promotion of Daystar and MMUST replaces Mwamba RFC and South Coast Pirates, who were relegated to the KRU Championship for the upcoming season.