Kenya Sevens head coach Kevin Wambua has named the Shujaa and Morans squads for the 28th edition of Safari7s, with the two sides set to take different approaches when the tournament kicks off at Nyayo National Stadium from October 9 to 11.

Shujaa will enter the three-day competition as defending champions and buoyed by their recent success at the Mauritius Sevens, where Kenya claimed the title after overcoming Madagascar 15-12 in the final.

Wambua has retained a strong core of experienced players while rewarding several performers from the Mauritius campaign with opportunities in the senior side.

George Ooro and Samuel Asati will share the captaincy, with John Okoth, Gabriel Ayimba and Brian Mutua providing further international experience.

Elvis Olukusi has earned his first Shujaa call-up after impressing during Kenya’s victorious campaign in Mauritius. Glacious Owino and Rayvon Olindi are also in line for their first appearances with Shujaa after making an impression in Mauritius.

The squad is completed by Nygel Amaitsa, Festus Safari, Patrick Odongo and Victor Odhiambo, giving Wambua a blend of experience, pace and attacking options as Kenya seeks to retain the title on home soil.

Shujaa squad: John Okoth, George Ooro (co-captain), Elvis Olukusi, Gabriel Ayimba, Brian Mutua, Samuel Asati (co-captain), Glacious Owino, Rayvon Olindi, Nygel Amaitsa, Festus Safari, Patrick Odongo and Victor Odhiambo.

The Morans, meanwhile, will provide a platform for emerging talent from the domestic National Sevens Circuit, with six players earning their first call-ups to the side.

Clinton Amukwachi and Dennis Ndayala will captain the team, which includes Mathias Osimbo, Stanslaus Shikoli, Patrick Kluivert, Mike Lukusi, Harrison Mauve and Brighton Omondi.

Mike Lukusi, who represents Kabras Sugar, and Kisumu RFC’s Harrison Mauve are among the players making the step up after their performances in the domestic circuit.

They will be joined by experienced campaigners Patrick Sabatia, Eugene Ojiambo, Arnold Agonda and Lucky Onyango, giving the Morans a useful combination of youth and experience.

Morans squad: Clinton Amukwachi (co-captain), Mathias Osimbo, Stanslaus Shikoli, Patrick Sabatia, Patrick Kluivert, Eugene Ojiambo, Mike Lukusi, Dennis Ndayala (co-captain), Arnold Agonda, Lucky Onyango, Harrison Mauve and Brighton Omondi.

The selections underline two contrasting objectives for Kenya at Safari7s.

The 2026 Safari7s will feature 18 teams, with 12 competing in the men’s competition and six in the women’s event. Uganda, Zimbabwe and other invited sides will add to the challenge facing the Kenyan teams at Nyayo.