Kenya Shujaa held 21-21 by South African side as Safari Sevens opens in Nairobi

Defending champions Kenya Shujaa, the men's national sevens team, drew 21-21 with South Africa's SportPesa Fast Forwards on Friday 9 October, the opening day of the 28th Safari Sevens at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, The Standard reported. Shujaa trailed 14-0 and then 21-7 before second-half tries from substitute Glacious Owino and Elvis Olukusi brought them level.

The 18-team tournament runs to Sunday 11 October.

Capital FM reported on 21 September that the field has 12 men's and six women's teams. The men's teams include Kenya Shujaa, Kenya Morans, Zimbabwe, Scotland, the United Kingdom's Shogun, French Renegades and Southern California Nomads. Uganda also play in the men's event. The women's teams include the reigning champions Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Cubs, Uganda and Tunisia.

Shujaa beat Shogun 14-7 in last year's final at Nyayo on Sunday 12 October 2025, The Standard reported that day.

Coach Kevin Wambua named a 12-man squad led by co-captains George Ooro and Samuel Asati, according to the Kenya News Agency. Olukusi, Owino and Olindi are making their Shujaa debuts, Capital FM reported on 7 October. Wambua said, as quoted by The Star on 9 October, that the three were excellent at the Africa Cup in Mauritius last weekend. Kenya won the Africa Men's Sevens Series title there, beating Madagascar 15-12 in the final, TV47 reported on 5 October. Madagascar had beaten Kenya 26-0 in the pool stage.

The Star quoted Wambua on 9 October as saying: "We have had a decent and competitive training phase." On Uganda he said: "Matches between us are always competitive, and it is a derby, so we know they will want to prove a point. We must be wary of the threat they bring."

The rest of the Shujaa squad is John Okoth, Gabriel Ayimba, Brian Mutua, Nygel Amaitsa, Festus Safari, Patrick Odongo and Victor Odhiambo, the Kenya News Agency said.

Kenya Morans, the second Kenyan men's side, are co-captained by Clinton Amukwachi and Dennis Ndayala. Six of their players are on their first call-up: Mathias Osimbo, Stanslaus Shikoli, Patrick Kluivert, Mike Lukusi, Harrison Mauve and Brighton Omondi. The Morans beat GEL Squad 7s in their opening match on Friday, The Standard reported, and play Wonder 7s at 10:57 am on Saturday, according to The Star.

The opening-day programme published by the Kenya News Agency also included, in the women's event, Kenya Cubs v Tunisia at 3:00 pm and Uganda v Tuks Women at 3:22 pm, and in the men's event, Zimbabwe v Wonder 7s at 4:06 pm, French Renegades v Wellington Jaguars at 4:50 pm, Shogun v Southern California Nomads at 5:12 pm and Uganda v Scotland at 5:34 pm, all East Africa Time.

Shujaa play Scotland at 12:37 pm and Uganda at 5:13 pm on Saturday 10 October, The Star reported on 9 October.