Kenya Cup champions Kabras RFC will open their title defence against Catholic University Monks on November 26 in the fixtures released by Kenya Rugby Union on Tuesday.
The sugar millers, who bagged the Enterprise Cup crown too, will then face Mean Machine — who are making a return to the top flight after a season in the Championship — on December 3.
The Kakamega-based side will then have a date with Quins on December 10 before closing the year with a derby encounter against Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Jerome Muller's charges will be seeking to defend the title they won last season, when they beat Menengai Oliers 34-28 in a pulsating final at the Kakamega showground.
Kabras have played in the Kenya Cup final since promotion to the top flight in 2015, winning twice and losing on five occasions.
Club chairman Edward Esilaba is upbeat about the team's prospects this season.
"We have a good squad, the ambition and drive to retain the title we won last year. It won't beg easy, though. All the clubs will want to prove a point but we will be more than ready to face them once the season starts,” said Esilaba.
Oilers start their quest for the title with a tie against Mean Machine with subsequent fixtures against Quins, Masinde Muliro University and Homeboyz.
Seven-time champions KCB will start their quest to reclaim the title with a tricky tie against Quins before showdowns against Masinde Muliro, Homeboyz and Nakuru RFC.
Last season's losing semifinalist Strathmore open their campaign with a derby encounter against fellow varsity outfit Masinde Muliro University.
Louis Kisia's charges then face Homeboyz, Nakuru and Blak Blad in relatively tricky fixtures. The top four teams at the end of the group phase will qualify for the semifinals, slated for February 25, 2023, with the final scheduled for a week later.
The bottom two sides will get relegated to the Championship. Meanwhile, the Enterprise Cup preliminary rounds will start on March 11, 2023 with the final set for April 1, signaling the end of the 15s club calendar.
