It’s set to be a big weekend in Kenyan rugby as the top teams go head-to-head in the Kenya Cup.
The limping Kenya Harlequin will travel to the KCB Ruaraka Sports Club, hoping to secure their first victory against the bankers in a decade.
Meanwhile, the Great Rift Valley is expected to explode on Saturday as the Menengai Oilers, chasing their maiden Kenya Cup title, take on former champions Nakuru at the Nakuru ASK Showground.
Quins last beat KCB during the 2015/16 season, when they triumphed 20–14 during the regular season and 36–29 in the third-place play-off. Quins lost to Kabras Sugar 19-15, while KCB lost to Impala 8-7 in the semi-finals.
Kabras Sugar lifted their maiden Kenya Cup by beating Impala 22-5 in the final at Impala Sports Club.
In their last Kenya Cup outing in February last year, KCB beat Quins 38-16 to extend their unbeaten streak. Quins go into this afternoon’s match against a backdrop of their recent poor performances.
The departure of 18 players from the Ngong Road-based side during the season left them in a worse state as they try to rebuild. They have lost to Nondescripts and Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad, with scores of 33-22 and 40-26 respectively.
Four consecutive victories
KCB have also been rebuilding and are slowly regaining their balance, having secured four consecutive victories this season as they chase their first Kenya Cup crown since 2021.
Last Saturday, the bankers outclassed two-time champions Nakuru 43-19 in Nakuru. KCB are third in the Kenya Cup standings with 20 points, all of which were earned through bonus-point victories.
They are behind the league leaders and defending champions, Kabras Sugar and Menengai Oilers, who also have 20 points from four bonus-point wins.
Head coach Andrew Amonde has made changes to the squad that beat Nakuru, handing the captaincy to prop Oscar Simiyu, who replaces Thomas Okidia.
Eighthman Felix Oloo, who captained the side against Nakuru, will not be playing and will be replaced by Bramwel Kilwake, who started in the flanking position against Nakuru.
Meanwhile, Winston Macharia will partner Joseph Wanjala at flanker, while Emmanuel Opondo and Brian Wahinya will replace Jenkins Kipruto and Levi Amunda at scrum-half and fly-half, respectively.
Tyson Maina will partner Mike Kimwela, who replaces Bob Muhati at centre. Branton Lusisa comes in for Austin Sikutwa at left wing, while Mike Wekesa retains his place at right wing.
“We know Quins are a strong side. We are heading into this match without some of our key players, but we are certain that the boys will put on a good show given the depth within our ranks,” noted KCB backs coach Jacob Ojee.
Quins coach Patrice Agunda has also made some changes: Jaika Adams has been replaced by Mohammed Kaida at prop, and Alvin Mutachi has come in for Hillary Masiva at centre.
“KCB is still a tough side, but I believe we have a squad that can achieve something. It’s becoming tougher, and this is the time top sides are tested,” said Agunda, who last played for Quins when they beat KCB for the last time.
“A decade is a long time, but that’s rugby,” he added.
In their last eight meetings, Menengai Oilers have claimed five victories, while Nakuru have claimed three, but the former champions have lost in the last two seasons. They lost 25-18 to the Oilers in 2023/24 and 34-15 in 2024/25.
