KCB Rugby Club continued their remarkable dominance of the George Mwangi Memorial Kabeberi 7s on Sunday, defeating Strathmore Leos 14–12 at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi to claim a record fifth consecutive title.
The victory capped an entertaining weekend at the third leg of the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit and gave the Bankers their second tournament title of the season after their triumph at the opening Prinsloo 7s in Nakuru.
KCB came into the tournament as defending champions and chasing another piece of Kabeberi history. They delivered when it mattered most, surviving a determined Leos side that reached its first final of the season after an impressive run through the knockout stages.
The Bankers made the perfect start to the final. Brian Wahinya was involved in the move that created space for Shujaa captain George Ooro, who finished clinically to put KCB ahead. Wahinya added the conversion for a 7–0 lead.
KCB quickly doubled their advantage when Michael Wekesa broke through the Leos defence to score, with Wahinya again converting to make it 14–0.
Leos, however, refused to let the final slip away. Captain Gabriel Ayimba produced a trademark burst down the right flank, finding a gap in the KCB defence before crossing the line. Arnold Muita added the conversion to reduce the deficit to 14–7.
The comeback gathered further momentum just before the interval when Victor Mola picked out Ayimba in space. The Leos captain again showed his pace to beat the KCB defenders and score his second try, leaving his side just two points behind at 14–12.
The second half became a battle of patience and defensive discipline. KCB absorbed sustained pressure from Leos but refused to surrender their narrow advantage, with the Andrew Amonde charges holding firm until the final whistle to secure another Kabeberi crown.
Leos’ run to the final was one of the stories of the tournament. After finishing fourth in last year’s competition, they produced a series of impressive performances in Nairobi and reached their first final of the season.
Their semi-final victory over Menengai Oilers was particularly dramatic, with Leos edging the Oilers 21–19 to book their place in the championship decider.
KCB had earlier secured their final berth with a convincing 26–7 victory over Kenya Harlequin, setting up the showdown with Leos.
Menengai Oilers had reached the semi-finals after eliminating Kabras Sugar 12–7 in the quarter-finals. The result ended Kabras’ Kabeberi campaign just one leg after they had won the Dala 7s in Kisumu.
The Oilers recovered from their semi-final disappointment to claim the bronze medal, beating Kenya Harlequin 20–17 in the third-place playoff.
The final standings therefore saw KCB crowned champions, Strathmore Leos finish runners-up, Menengai Oilers take bronze and Kenya Harlequin finish fourth.
Next leg (4th leg) moves to Driftwood, Mombasa on weekend of 22nd to 23rd August.
