Kabras Sugar's William Mwanji side steps Kabras' John Okoth during last season's Kenya Cup final at the Kakamega showground/HANDOUT Kenya Cup champions Kabras Sugar will begin their title defence against neighbours Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in a mouthwatering Lurambi derby on November 22, as per the fixtures released on Wednesday.
The five-time champions, who have won the league for the past four consecutive seasons, are aiming to join elite company — Impala (1970–74) and Nondescripts (1978–82) — as the only sides to claim five straight league titles.
Kabras, who are on a 38-match unbeaten run since losing 28–20 to fierce rivals KCB in February 2022, are favourites to extend their dominance.
Head coach Carlos Katywa’s side will next face newly promoted Daystar Falcons on November 29, Impala on December 13 and Kisumu RFC on December 20.
Menengai Oilers lost 27-26 to Kabras in the Kenya Cup final and 33-12 in the Enterprise Cup decider and will be determined to go one better this season.
Gibson Weru’s charges open their campaign against Falcons, then Impala, Kisumu and Strathmore Leos.
Eight-time champions KCB begin their season with a high-profile fixture against Impala. They will then face Leos before a challenging away tie against Nakuru.
The season’s biggest fixtures are scheduled for later in the campaign: KCB host Kabras on February 28, 2026, before the sugarmillers return home to face Oilers at the Kakamega Showground on March 7. KCB and Oilers meet on February 21 in Nakuru.
The top six teams will advance to the playoffs on March 21, 2026. The semi-finals are due March 28, while the final is set for April 11.
The Enterprise Cup, the oldest knockout competition in Kenyan rugby, will run alongside the Kenya Cup. The round of 16 begins on December 13, with quarter-finals on February 7, 2026, semi-finals on March 14 and the final on April 25.
Meanwhile, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) director of fixtures Leslie Mwangale announced a restructuring of the Eric Shirley Shield (ESS), which will now be an under-23 competition to provide opportunities for emerging talent.
“We are changing the concept of the ESS to be under-23 to give young players a chance and to tweak the format of the competition,” said Mwangale.
They are also in a race to secure sponsorships in the coming weeks.
