Champions Kabras Sugar and former winners KCB will clash in the biggest match on the local rugby scene, the Kenya Cup final , from 3pm today at the Kakamega ASK Showground.
For two weeks now, excitement has been building ahead of the match, punctuated by soft banter between the two teams on social media. The build-up reaches a crescendo this afternoon when defending champions Kabras Sugar take on KCB.
Kabras Sugar’s coach, Carlos Katywa, has not tasted defeat against KCB since taking over at the club in 2022. This afternoon, Katywa will be keen to settle any debate as to which of the teams is the better side following a hotly-contested 10-10 draw between the two teams in the regular season.
KCB’s coach, Andrew Amonde, better known for his success in the sevens version of the game than in the 15s, found himself at the helm this season following Dennis “Ironman” Mwanja’s exit.
Amonde believes the time is ripe for the bankers to take the Kenya Cup away from Kakamega and back to KCB Ruaraka Sports Club after what he terms “a successful transition journey” that has taken blood and sweat to achieve.
Today, Kabras Sugar will play in the Kenya Cup final for the 11th consecutive time following a remarkable journey that started in 2014/2015 when they made their debut in the Kenya Cup.
The two giants of Kenyan rugby, who have dominated the local scene for over a decade now, will meet for the 20th time overall. It is the eighth meeting between the two teams in the Kenya Cup final.
In their past 19 encounters, “Lion Hearted” KCB have had the lion’s share of victories, triumphing 10 times. Kabras have prevailed over KCB in seven of those meetings . The two teams have drawn twice.
Rains have been forecast in Kakamega, and whoever adapts quicker and better to the wet conditions will dictate the outcome of the match. Both teams boast national team players who understand each other well.
Kabras Sugar RFC coach Carlos Katywa (centre) and his players at Kakamega Bull Ring ground on May 8, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Brian Tanga, who was one of the two surviving Kabras Sugar players who played in the 2014/2015 final, will be available for selection alongside skipper George Nyambua, Kelvin Wekesa, Rayvon Ambale and William Mwanji.
Of the two teams, KCB has more Kenya Sevens players, among them co-captains George Ooro and Samuel Asati, Vincent Onyala, Elvis Olukusi, Festus Shiasi and Floyd Bwire. Kabras Sugar’s head coach, Carlos Katywa Qondani from South Africa, who has gone 51 matches unbeaten since taking over the reins at the club in the 2022/2023 season, expects a mouth-watering showdown.
“As I said before, KCB are hungrier for the title than before, and are currently playing a well-structured game,” said Katywa. He added that the secret to his team’s dominance goes beyond the field to include good support from their sponsors, West Kenya Sugar Company and the Kakamega community. “Ours has been a transition journey of faith and belief that has taken us time. It has not been easy, but we have realised it through hard work,” Amonde, who was in the KCB squad that defeated Kabras Sugar 28-25 in Kenya Cup final at Nandi Bears Club in 2021, said.
The former Kenya Sevens skipper noted that winning the 2025 National Sevens Circuit title, their first since 2019, was a clear manifestation of how his team has developed mentally.
“Our sponsors KCB and fans have really supported and helped us build this strong unit in all facets of play,” said Amonde, adding that his technical bench has worked tirelessly to prepare the squad that is capable of reclaiming the title. KCB have won the Kenya Cup eight times.
Amonde noted that going four seasons without winning the Kenya Cup and missing last season’s final has reignited the fire and passion in his squad.
But he cautioned that Kabras have shown pedigree, which calls for good strategy and focus.
“It’s not easy to win here. I have a squad that has won in the past, and I know what it takes to win. They are a vicious side that will chase the last ball. How we present ourselves in the final means a lot,” said Amonde.
KCB's Andycole Omollo charges against Strathmore University's defence during their Kenya Cup Rugby match played on December 6, 2025, at Ruaraka Sports Club.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
Eight-time champions KCB was the last team to beat Kabras, a 28-20 affair in the 2021/2022 regular season at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka.
The bankers now hope to end the sugar millers’ winning streak and recapture the crown for the first time in five years. They last won the title when they rallied from behind to beat Kabras Sugar 28-25 during the 2021 final at Nandi Bears.
It’s during the 2019/2020 season, which failed to end owing to Covid-19 outbreak, that Kabras claimed KCB’s scalp for the first time. Kabras had lost eight times and drawn once 15-15 (2016/2017) with KCB.
The highest score KCB has chalked against Kabras is 44-20 on February 23, 2019, during the 2018/2019 season while Kabras’ biggest victory 30-23 on August 7, 2021. All are from the regular season.
KCB’s highest scoring win in the final against Kabras was a 36-8 affair on April 22, 2017, in Ruaraka.
KCB Rugby coach Andrew Amonde during their Kenya Cup match against Strathmore University at Ruaraka KCB Sports Club on December 6, 2025
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Should the skies open, the final will be a wet and slippery affair, which favours a kicking game by the teams and less open play.
In such conditions, Ntabeni Dukisa, who has been fished out of retirement to take up Jone Kubu’s position after he was red carded in the semifinals, Eric Cantona, the leading points scorer, will be useful for Kabras’ quest.
Amonde will look up to Brian Wahinya, Isaac Njoroge and Shiasi to navigate through the wet conditions.
Both teams are generally even, but Kabras’ maul has been dominant this season.
