Kabras Sugar halve KCB's lead with Driftwood 7s title as Kenya's stars head to Europe

Kabras Sugar have cut KCB’s lead at the top of the National 7s Circuit to just three points after defeating the defending champions 15-5 in the Driftwood 7s final at Mombasa, setting up a tense final fortnight of action in September.

Sevens star Kevin Wekesa was named player of the final as Kabras dominated in attack, scoring three tries to one to claim the tournament title and move to 73 points in the standings, with KCB sitting on 76. The result has also opened a healthy gap over the chasing pack, with third-placed Menengai Oilers on 58 points, while Daystar Falcons and Kenya Harlequins are both on 52.

KCB reached the final the hard way, overcoming Blak Blad 29-10, Kisumu RFC 22-5, and a competitive Emerging Uganda side 12-7, before defeating Menengai Oilers 10-5 in the semifinals. The Ugandan guest side had entered the tournament with momentum, having claimed the 2024 Africa Men’s Sevens Cup, though a disappointing 2025 campaign saw them miss out on qualification for the inaugural SVNS 3 tournament. They ultimately finished fifth in Mombasa, with their focus now shifting to the 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Cup in Mauritius in October.

The circuit’s final two tournaments will be contested without several of Kenya’s leading players. KCB’s George Ooro, Samuel Asati, Vincent Onyala, and Nygel Amaitsa will all miss the closing rounds as they begin preparations for the Ultimate Sevens in Europe, joined by Chrisant Ojwang, John Okoth, Wekesa, Patrick Odongo, Tony Omondy, and Festus Shiasi from other clubs.

The absences are expected to test the depth of the leading sides and hand opportunities to lower-ranked teams — including Uganda, who carry significant international experience of their own.

“We are up against a quality Ugandan side packed with internationals,” KCB head coach Andrew Amonde told The Star ahead of the Driftwood 7s. “With these players away next month, our depth will be thoroughly tested for the final two circuit tournaments.”

The circuit resumes after a week’s break with the Embu 7s at Moi Stadium in Embu on 5-6 September, followed by the Christie 7s on 12-13 September.