The Kenya Lionesses squad that will be tasked with duty for the upcoming Rugby Africa Women’s Cup has been unveiled.

The competition will be staged in Madagascar from Thursday, June 5, 2025, running through to Monday, June 16, 2025. 

Kenya’s 15s team will square off against hosts Madagascar, defending champions South Africa, and newly promoted Uganda in this edition of the games. 

Debutants

The squad welcomes three fresh faces, with Katundu Ivonee, Natasha Emali, and Khaleyi Noleen earning their first-ever call-ups to the team.
Katundu features as a prop. Kenya Harlequins Queens’ Doris Kimani has also been handed her debut as a back rower, and so has winger Yvette Oketch, who plies her trade with Northern Suburbs.

The @kenyalioness squad that will be heading out to Madagascar for the Rugby Africa Women`s cup that will be running from 5th -16th June.
All the best Madem wa job job .Let`s go fly the 🇰🇪 flag high. pic.twitter.com/JJKkVRNgjG

— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) May 28, 2025

Meanwhile, Coach Dennis Mwanja has retained a bulk of his mainstays from the senior Lionesses team. 

Skipper Grace Okulu, who features as fly-half, Frshia Owino, the pacey winger, and Sinaida Mokaya will form the spine of the team. 

Internationals

Other seasoned members of the Lionesses team who have retained their berths include Naomi Amugunu and Sheila Chajira, who played crucial parts in Kenya’s triumphant outing in the Challenger games in South Africa a couple of months ago. 

The team will be captained by Enid Ouma. Maureen Chebet and Edith Nariaka will act as the two vice captains.

Kenya Lionesses will open its campaign on Friday, June 7, 2025, against the hosts, Madagascar.

A familiar but formidable foe in South Africa will follow on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, before they renew their rivalry with neigbours, Uganda on Sunday, June 15, 2025, in their final game.

The games will be played at Stade Makis in Antananarivo.

Kenya Lionesses squad

Props: Jane Chanya, Natasha Emali, Katundu Ivonee, Khaleyi Noleen, Naomi Muhanji, Wesa Sheila

Hookers: Akinyi Mitchell, Knight Otwoma

Locks: Phoebe Akinyi, Maureen Chebet, Enid Ouma (captain), Naomi Jelegat

Backrow: Naomi Amuguni, Sheila Chajira, Nelly Chikombe, Kimani Dorris

Scrumhalves: Edith Nariaka

Flyhalves: Ann Njeri, Grace Okulu

Wings: Diana Awino, Freshia Awino, Oketch Yvette, Juma Angel Charity

Midfielders: Christabel Lindo, Faith Livoi, Moreen Muritu, Stella Wafula

Fullbacks: Sinaida Mokaya