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Nygel Amaitsa
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All the season's big signings in Kenya Cup rugby

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Kenya Shujaa’s Nygel Amaitsa.

Photo credit: Pool

Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar, KCB and Nondescripts are among the top clubs that have bolstered their squads with new signings for the 2026/2027 season.

Kabras Sugar, who are also the reigning Enterprise Cup champions, have signed former Kenya Simbas and Nondescripts loosehead prop Ian Njenga, who is back from Romania where he featured for CSA Steaua București for two years from 2024.

Ian Njenga

Ian Njenga in hospital after surgery in Cape Town, South Africa on April 26, 2022. The Kenya Simbas player has been ruled out of action for six months.

Photo credit: Pool |

The history-making Western Kenya-based side have raided Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust) for hooker Caleb Owino and Kisii for Mike Oyoo as the transfer window closed on Friday.

Kabras team manager, Wilson Omondi, said the signings were cover for club captain George Nyambua and half-back Barry Robinson, who are recovering from surgery.

Kabras lifted their sixth Kenya Cup as they stretched a remarkable unbeaten record to four consecutive seasons.

The club also celebrated their sixth consecutive Enterprise Cup victory.

“It will take something special to take away those two prestigious titles from us,” said Omondi.

KCB have signed 12 players, including utility backs international Nygel Amaitsa and David Nyangige from Strathmore Leos and Impala respectively. Nyangige has also played at second row.

Nygel Amaitsa

Kenya Shujaa’s Nygel Amaitsa.

Photo credit: Pool

Also joining the Thika Super Highway-based side are Menengai Oilers locks Charles Osgood and Fortune Aturo as well as lock Timfox Esikuri and utility back Hillary Salano as free agents.

Hooker Samson Mapesa from Kisii, utility back Benson Kihiti from Kenya Prisons, tight-head prop Collins Ngoko from Mmmust and versatile forward Innocent Indeche Murunda from Kisumu have also gone to the den.

“These are players that the club wanted rather than what was in the market. Amaitsa and Nyangige are perfect all-rounders,” said KCB coach Andrew Amonde.

KCB lost key forwards last season, including talented Andycole Omolo, who went to Japan and Peter Waitere, who retired.

The bankers, who are the reigning National Sevens champions, are seeking their first Kenya Cup since 2021 and Enterprise Cup since 2017.

Ngong Racecourse-based Nondies have gone for experience with head coach Moses Wanyaga signing five top players, including utility back Lamech Ambetsa and forward/winger Michael "Mike" Okello from Kabras Sugar.

Former Strathmore Leos skipper Barnabas Owuor, Mmust winger Tyson Juma and Impala backrow Victor Amayi have also crossed to the Red Lion lair alongside fly-half Briton Luke Phillipson from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

“I am happy that we have managed to retain our core squad for the coming season,” said Wanyaga.

Easily the most successful club in Kenya, Nondies haven’t won the Kenya Cup since 1998.  

Kenya Harlequin have made 17 signings, including centre Davis Otundo and Keith Kevin Wafula from Menengai Oilers and Impala duo Milton Baraza and Patrick Muli. 

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