Kenya Rugby Union sets 2025 Safari Sevens dates

By Michael Kirwa
Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Kenya Rugby Union has confirmed that the 2025 Safari Sevens will be held in Nairobi from 10-12 October. This marks the tournament’s return to the capital after last year’s edition was staged in Machakos, the first time it was held outside Nairobi. With the confirmation coming eight months in advance, organisers now have a head start in securing sponsorship and planning a grander tournament.

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has announced that the 2025 Safari Sevens will take place in Nairobi from 10-12 October, marking the tournament’s return to the capital after last year’s edition was held in Machakos.

Now in its 27th edition, the tournament has historically been hosted in Nairobi, except for 2024 when it moved to Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos. That shift marked the first time the competition was staged outside Kenya’s capital.

KRU has yet to confirm the teams participating in this year’s edition, but as hosts and defending champions, Kenya’s Shujaa will be eager to defend their title.

Shujaa clinched the Robin Cahill Trophy last year with a 12-0 victory over Shogun (formerly Samurai Rugby) in the final. This win added to their triumphs in 2021 and 2023, cementing Kenya’s place as the most successful team in the tournament’s history with 12 titles.

In the women’s final, Kenya’s Lionesses fell 24-0 to Costa Blanca Barbarians from Spain.

The Safari Sevens bronze trophy, featuring two elephants, is named after Robin Cahill, a founding member of the Rugby Patrons Society who played a key role in launching the event in 1996.

Last year’s tournament was held at the RFUEA Grounds, but with both the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, and Nyayo National Stadium expected to be available after CHAN 2025 in August, the tournament could return to one of these larger venues.

Between 2011 and 2016, Safari Sevens was held at either Nyayo or Kasarani as the competition outgrew its traditional home at RFUEA Grounds. The growing popularity of the sport at the time prompted organisers to seek larger venues to accommodate increasing fan demand.

At its peak, Safari Sevens attracted top-tier sponsors and teams from Argentina, France, Germany, New Zealand, Samoa, South Africa, and Zambia. However, in recent years, the tournament has struggled with sponsorship setbacks and dwindling attendance. Renovation work on Nyayo and Kasarani further complicated venue selection, forcing a return to RFUEA Grounds.

With the tournament dates confirmed eight months in advance, organisers now have a valuable window to secure sponsorship and revitalise the competition.