Gabriel Ayimba (left) of Kenya shrugs off a tackle from Madagascar's Hery Njaka during Under-20 Barthes Trophy third place play-offs at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on on April 17th 2022
The quote “opportunity makes the man” which is attributed to Brazilian lawyer, politician, orator, novelist and dramatist José Martiniano de Alencar, best captures youngster Gabriel “Gabby” Ayimba’s journey with the Kenya Sevens.
Ayimba, 24, will have his first taste of action with the main Kenya Sevens team in World Rugby Sevens Division II tournament this weekend in Uruguay, and he hopes to play a big part in the team’s campaign for promotion back to the World Rugby Sevens Division I series.
On Saturday and Sunday, Uruguay’s capital city Montevideo will host the second tournament the World Rugby Sevens Division II series.
Although he has been playing for the second-tier Kenya Sevens team, Kenya Morans, Ayimba, who is son of former Kenya Sevens coach Ben Ayimba, did not get an opportunity to play for the main team, Kenya Shujaa, when Nairobi hosted the first tournament on February 14 and 15 at Nyayo National Stadium.
That makes Saturday a pivotal moment in his career.
The youngster has set for himself an ambitious target of matching or bettering his late father’s record with Kenya Shujaa in the long term.
“I am not only aiming to take a big step towards matching my father’s legacy with the Kenya Sevens, but I hope to better it by winning two or more tournaments in the circuit eventually. First, we need to qualify for promotion back to World Rugby Sevens Division One category,” Ayimba, who plays as a forward for Kenya Cup team Strathmore Leos, told Nation Sport on Friday.
He is alive to the tough task ahead.
“Competition for places in the Kenyan team is tough, and I must maintain my game at the top to maintain my place in the team,” he said, adding that he is yet to come close to matching his father’s accomplishments.
His father Benjamin Ayimba made history when he guided Kenya Sevens to its first ever victory in the World Rugby Sevens Series, beating Fiji 30-7 to lift the Singapore Sevens title in 2016.
National Rugby 7's Lionesses player Janet Akello (left) and Shujaa's Gabriel Ayimba during NTV's Live Sports show on February 2, 2026
The senior Ayimba passed away in 2021 after a long battle with cerebral malaria, and the younger Ayimba has taken upon himself the task of keeping his father’s legacy on the pitch alive .
The younger Ayimba, who is pursuing bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality at Strathmore University, is confident that Kenya Sevens will prevail in the Division II tournament, and finish among the top eight teams in of the World Rugby Sevens Division II Championship, so as to qualify for the 2027 Division I.
From Montevideo, World Rugby Sevens Division II series will head to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for the third and final leg from March 28 to 29.
Ayimba is part of head coach Kelvin Wambua’s 14-man team that will do duty in Montevideo and Sao Paulo.
“The team is in buoyant mood, and we are ready to deliver and return to the world series,” the youngster, who is a third year student at Strathmore University, said. He made his debut with Kenya Morans in 2023 Safari Sevens tournament held at RFUEA grounds in Nairobi. He also played for the team in 2024 Safari Sevens tournament held in Machakos.
Lionesses' campaign
Kenya Sevens are third in the World Rugby Sevens Division II series with 16 points behind leaders Germany (20), and the United States of America (18).
The top four teams in the division will join the eight other teams from the World Rugby Sevens Division I to compete in the World Championship that will again compete in three events in Hong Kong (April 17 to19), Valladolid, Spain (May 29 to 31), and in Bordeaux, France (June 5 to 7).
Winners of the three tournaments will be crowned world champions, and the top eight teams will compete in 2026/2027 World Rugby Division I competition. Four teams that finish at the bottom will be relegated to the Division II tournament where Kenya Sevens currently are.
“I can say positively the boys have picked up well and the goal is to remain among the top four in the World Rugby Sevens Division II series so as to stand a chance of competing for a place in the main series. I believe the boys are up for the task,” coach Wambua said yesterday.
Kenya will play her first match in Uruguay against USA at 6.32pm on Saturday, then play Canada at 9.20pm. The team will then take on Belgium at 12.08am on Sunday, and wrap up its campaign with a match against home team Uruguay at 12.48am on Monday.
Kenya Lionesses, who are placed fifth in women's World Rugby Sevens Division II, will be hoping to salvage their campaign after a poor run in the Nairobi leg, where they only secured one win.
Coach Simon Odongo has said his charge have their work cut out for them, and know what is expected of them.
“We are hoping to stay in the top three for the remaining legs to give us a chance in the championship. We shall do better,” said Odongo.
The Lionesses have six points and are behind leaders Argentina (13), South Africa (12), Spain (11) and China (6). Brazil tails with four points.
The Lionesses play China at 5pm, Argentina at 8.34pm, and Spain at 10.59pm today. They will then take on South Africa at 8.23pm and Brazil at 10.53 on Sunday.
Kenya’s fixtures:
Kenya Shujaa Saturday Fixtures:
Kenya Sevens v USA (6.32pm)
Kenya Sevens v Canada (9.20pm)
Sunday:
Kenya Sevens v Belgium (12.08am)
Monday:
Kenya Sevens v Uruguay (12.48am)
Kenya Lionesses Saturday fixtures:
Kenya Lionesses v China (5pm)
Kenya Lionesses v Argentina (8.34pm)
Kenya Lionesses v Spain (10.59pm)
Sunday:
Kenya Lionesses v South Africa (8.23pm)
Kenya Lionesses v Brazil (10.53pm)
