Will Safari Sevens ever rediscover its past allure?
That has been the question over the past decade as Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) organises the 28th Safari Sevens starting today (Friday) at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Twelve men’s teams divided into three pools will compete for top honours in a tournament once touted as the premier sevens rugby competition in Africa.
The women’s category, involving six teams, will get the action rolling with Kenya Cubs playing Tunisia at 3pm. Kenya Lionesses and Kenya Junior Lionesses will face off at 3:44pm.
Naomi Amuguni of Kenya Lionesses (left) evades Yvonne Najuma of Uganda as she charges towards the try line during the Safari Sevens at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on October 11, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Kenya Morans take on Gel Squad Sevens from South Africa in a Pool “C” tie at 4.28pm with Kenya Shujaa closing day one action against SportPesa Forward Legends from South Africa in a Pool “A” at 5.56pm.
The union has been struggling to attract top nations from the world over the last decade, unlike before when big sides graced the tournament.
For instance, Argentina participated in the 2010 and 2015 editions, while a Fijian side graced the event in 2008. The Fijians won the 2001 and 2002 Safari Sevens playing under the British Army franchise.
Samoa toured and won the 2005 and 2011 editions. South Africa Blitzboks were the last major World Rugby Sevens Division One side to grace the tournament in 2019, losing to Kenya Morans 19-14 in the final.
The South Africa side had top players like Cecil Afrika, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Selvyn Davids, Angelo Davids and Impi Visser.
South Africa’s development side, the Emerging Boks, had won the tournament in 2006, 2007 and 2012.
Safari Sevens has also drawn countries that have gone on to feature at the World Rugby Sevens Series like Spain, Portugal and Germany.
Official guests were rugby icons, including the late South Africa Springboks player, Chester Williams, in 1996 when event where future British Lions’ Colin Charvis captained a Welsh Exiles squad.
Naas Botha, the iconic Springbok fly-half and World Rugby Hall of Famer, was the celebrity guest in 1999, Fijian legend Waisale Serevi Serevi in 2005 and 2008 when he played for Kenya Morans.
And spectators loved it as attendance soared, with capacity 8,000 fans at RFUEA grounds.
Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses players celebrate winning the 2025 Safari Sevens men's and women's crowns at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on on October 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The tournament was moved to Nyayo National Stadium and later the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani.
The 2013 edition at MISC drew a record attendance of 48,000 fans on day one and 35,000 on day two despite the Westgate Mall terror attack.
The 2015 Safari Sevens almost failed to take place with governance issues taking centre stage at KRU as title sponsors Safaricom pulled out and the fans too
Poor attendance was again recorded the following year at MISC and then the tournament failed to take place for the first time in 2017, only to return in 2018 and 2019 with the venue reverting to RFUEA.
Covid-19 saw the event fail to take place in 2020, returned 2021 with poor attendance, and the 2022 event was aborted due to lack of sponsors.
The only top foreign team for this year’s safari Sevens is Scotland, who are making their debut with regulars like Uganda and Zimbabwe alongside franchise sides like French Renegades and Shogun from the United Kingdom returning.
KRU chairman Moses Ndale reckons that they need good funding to offer hefty prize money and appearance fees that will lure the top nations in the world.
“Most of those top teams want appearance fees and fully paid flights for them to come,” said Ndale. He mentioned a prize of over Sh2 million.
“The return of Kenya to Division I, good attendance and facilities will also be key to attract top teams,” said Ndale, revealing that they sold 14,000 tickets at this year’s SVNS Div II.
Ndale admitted that having top teams and stars draws big crowds, something that organisers need to work on.
