Shujaa, the Kenya national seven-a-side rugby team brace for a return to the Top Tier World Rugby Sevens World Series competition by playing at home from February 14-15, 2026.

Such is the determination of the side coached by Kevin Wambua that they hope for a dream start after World Rugby pulled the rug from under their feet this year by changing the format of the competition. Shujaa emerged winners of the then second division Challenger Series and lined up against the bottom four teams of the 12-team World Series.

Under the regulations which were still in place as they boarded the flight to Los Angeles for the penultimate round, Shujaa just needed to finish among the top four to advance to the World Series. They did but the tune had changed with World Rugby revising the format.

Second Bite

Despite the disappointment, they have a chance to have a second bite of the cherry from February 14, 2026. On Friday, November 28, 2025, Wambua and his technical bench named 25 players from which the final 13 shall be picked to line up against other teams in February.

The wider squad makes it possible to rotate and manage the players ahead of the gruelling season and any individual should be prepared to step on the pitch and don the national jersey. 

A quick glance at the squad is a promise of continuity with the bulk of the players who won the Challenger Series retained. They are seasoned players with experience at the bigger stage and have the leadership capabilities to guide some of the rookies. 

Shujaa will travel to Montevideo (Uruguay) for the second tournament on March 21-22, 2026 before proceeding to Brazil the next weekend for the penultimate round. The aim is to finish among the top four teams to book a ticket to the three-leg Championship in Hong Kong, China, Valladolid (Spain), and Bordeaux (France). 

Six Teams

The three tournaments in Kenya, Uruguay and Brazil shall feature six teams in both categories.  Already,China, Kenya, Spain, Brazil (women) and Kenya, USA, Germany, Uruguay (men) have qualified. They will be joined by two teams from the tier three competition to be played in Dubai from January 17-18, 2026.

The teams to compete at the tier three tournament in Dubai are: Argentina, Colombia, Czechia, Mexico, Poland, Samoa, South Africa, Thailand (women) and Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong China, Italy, Madagascar, Samoa, Tonga (men).

Players named for the campaign are: Nygel Amaitsa, Felix Odhiambo, Victor Ochieng, Gabriel Ayimba (Strathmore), Chrisant Ojwang (Nakuru RFC), John Okoth, Dennis Abukuse, Daniel Kipchirchir (Menengai Oilers), Antony Omondi, Eugene Ojiambo (Mwamba), Vincent Onyala, Samuel Asati, George Ooro, Floyd Wabwire, Festus Shiasi, Elvis Sitati (KCB), Kevin Wekesa, Brian Tanga, Brian Mutua, Jackson Siketi, Rayvon Ambale (Kabras), Patrick Odongo, Clinton Amukachi, Arnold Agonda (Daystar University), David Nyangige (Impala RFC).Officials: Kevin Wambua (Head Coach), Louis Kisia (Assistant coach), Andrew Amonde (Strength & Conditioning), Lamech Bogonko (physiotherapist), Erick Ogweno (team manager), Morgan Ngumbi (assistant team manager).