KCB rugby players appreciate their fans after their match against rivals Kabras Sugar was rained off at KCB Sports Club in Nairobi on March 7, 2026.
Disputed match results are few and far between in Kenya Cup.
On Tuesday, the Kenya Rugby Union League and Competition Committee, chaired by Leslie Mwangale, ruled the abandoned match between table leaders Kabras Sugar and KCB a draw.
The high stakes match, played on Saturday at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka was halted at half time because the pitch was unplayable following heavy rains with the two teams locked 10-10.
KCB have appealed the decision with the KRU Appeals Committee which will meet and issue a verdict on Thursday.
Before that, the last time outcomes of Kenya Cup match results were decided in the boardroom was in 2011.
Kenya Harlequin, KCB and Nondescripts appealed to the KRU over matches against Kisumu, Western Bulls and Nakuru, respectively, that had been awarded to the latter teams on a walkover basis.
Quins, KCB, Nondies had failed to honour the fixtures amidst a feud between the top, Nairobi-based clubs and the top leadership of the union leading to 28-0 score awards to their opponents.
The KRU appeals team, headed by John Ohaga, who later became the inaugural chairman of the Sports Dispute Tribunal, ruled that match results should not be decided in a boardroom but on the pitch, and ordered all three fixtures to be replayed.
The bankers, in their disputed match against KCB, said they have appealed to ensure the correct interpretation and application of the rules are followed and to safeguard the integrity, fairness and consistency of Kenya Cup.
“KCB Rugby Club respectfully submits that the determination doesn’t accord with the applicable regulatory provision governing weather-related abandonment of matches. It’s inconsistent with the applicable KRU regulations and represents an incorrect application of the regulatory framework governing Kenya Cup competitions,” said KCB in their appeal.
Kabras Sugar RFC player Walter Okoth walk off the pitch after their Kenya Cup match against KCB at KCB Sports Club was abandoned due to heavy rains on March 7, 2026.
The case will be heard by the KRU Appeals Committee chaired by former Kenya international and Nairobi-based advocate, Edward Rombo. Others in the committee are Andrew Musangi and Waiyaki Hinga.
"Our decision will be final within the KRU judicial mechanism but any side that will feel aggrieved can take the case to the Sports Dispute Tribunal," said Rombo.
KRU 15s Competitions Manual, Section 13 Abandonment – Other Clauses states:
“In the event of a match having to be abandoned for any other reason other than weather, the following procedure apply:
1.1 Where a match has been abandoned at half-time or at any time in the second half, the result shall stand;
1.2 Where a match has been abandoned during the first half the result shall be declared a draw and a rematch will be played as determined by the KRU in consultation with the teams.”
Both sides are unbeaten
The second section however contradicts itself by declaring a result and at the same time talking about a replay.
KCB coach Andrew Amonde said that they want KRU to come out clear with the interpretation since they are working for a rematch, hoping for a clear result.
However, Kabras coach Carlos Katywa indicated that the rules are quite clear that the result at half-time and beyond shall stand.
“The match ended at half-time and not during the first half. Those are two scenarios hence let us not create other rules,” said Katywa.
“However, we are more than ready to meet any team and anywhere to settle what isn’t clear.”
If the results stand, it will mark Katywa’s 49th unbeaten run since taking over as head coach at Kabras Sugar in 2022.
It also means that Katywa’s side will have gone 51 matches unbeaten in the Kenya Cup.
Their last loss came during the 2021/2022 regular season, 28-22 to KCB at the bankers’ backyard on February 26, 2022.
Kabras went on to lift the Kenya Cup, beating Menengai Oilers 34-38 in the final at the Bullring, Kakamega.
Kabras Sugar still top the Kenya Cup standings after 10 rounds of matches with 47 points, two better than KCB.
Both sides remain unbeaten with one round of matches remaining until the end of the regular season.
The other aborted Kenya Cup duel between hosts Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad and Impala will be replayed today.
Both teams have been instructed to ensure the match is completed by Wednesday noon in order to allow sufficient player recovery time ahead of the weekend fixtures.
