Africa’s second oldest rugby tournament, Enterprise Cup, for the first time in its history faced a major crisis when six teams failed to honour the pre-quarter-finals on Saturday.
Ugandan and Tanzanian teams might have failed to compete in the event for over two decades but the massive walkovers by Kenyan clubs have left more questions than answers.
For the first time since the launch of the tournament in 1930, only two matches were played in the round of 16. Six teams earned their quarter-final tickets without breaking a sweat.
The 10-time champions, Kenya Harlequin, who are chasing their first title since 2011, rattled Catholic University Monks 29-5 at the RFUEA ground.
Strathmore University Leos, who are still yearning for their maiden Enterprise Cup victory, stopped Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship side Zetech Oaks 32-17 at the Strathmore Complex, Madaraka, Nairobi.
Kabras RFC players celebrate with the Enterprise Cup trophy after beating Menengai Oilers 33-12 at Nakuru Show ground on April 26, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
Kenya Cup sides Impala, Kisumu, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust) and Daystar Falcons, and KRU Championships sides Mwamba and Coast Pirates failed to honour their fixtures. Kabras, who are chasing their sixth consecutive title, were to face Impala, the 25-time champions Nondies were up against Kisumu, Oilers were to take on Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Mmust) while Nakuru were up against South Coast Pirates. KCB had a date with Daystar Falcons, while Blak Blad had a date with Mwamba.
Quins now face Kabras Sugar, Strathmore Leos take on Nondies, Menengai Oilers meet Nakuru, while KCB is up against Blak Blad, all in the Kenyan phase quarter-finals.
The Kenyan phase semi-final winners will take on those who will have reached the Uganda Cup semi-finals in the quarter-finals in March next year.
Impala chairman Peter Nduati said that the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup fixtures make no sense when all five opening matches, save for one, are away.
Mwamba chairman Edwin Waita said that championship teams are struggling to raise resources and quorum.
“We agreed with Kabras to let the Kenya Cup match double up for the Enterprise Cup,” said Nduati.
“It’s all about resources, which community clubs are struggling to get,” said Nduati, who wondered why Nairobi-based clubs such as Mwamba and Daystar failed to honour their matches.
“We are travelling a lot with meagre funds, and that affects the availability of players. We couldn’t raise a forum for our fixtures,” said Waita, adding that most institutions and varsity sides have resources unlike community clubs.
Waita said that KRU should look into funding teams at the KRU Championship, as Quins chairman Oscar Sudi challenged KRU to come out clear about the tournament now that Ugandan clubs have been incorporated.
“If clubs can’t honour local fixtures, how will they honour their tour to Uganda?” posed Sudi.
Kabras Sugar's Ntabeni Dukisa makes a conversion against KCB during the Enterprise Cup final at RFUEA ground on June 8, 2024.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
Sudi said that clubs will rather channel their limited resources to the Kenya Cup, that involves promotion and relegation, rather than the Enterprise Cup.
“It has never happened before in the history of the tournament, and this really now forces us to change strategy if the event is to survive,” said KRU chief executive officer, Thomas Odundo.
Odundo disclosed that they will now have to step in and facilitate teams with accommodation and transport in future, but the decision has to be made by the KRU Board.
“Teams are asked to express their interest before the draw is done. All the teams registered, but those who didn’t honor the draw failed to explain why,” said Odundo, adding that they now must step up, especially with the Uganda teams having been incorporated after over 20 years.
“We must come up with incentives, and that can only be possible with sponsors.”
Odundo explained that the Enterprise Cup was played at the end of the season after the Kenya Cup, but clubs complained that it came when their finances were already depleted.
