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The 2021 KRU Championship playoffs to determine the new Kenya Cup entrants marked the restart of rugby in the country after the coronavirus pandemic had all but brought the sport on its knees.

A season later, both men’s leagues are operational alongside a six-team Kenya Cup women’s league, the Nationwide League and all regional leagues.

All the competitions strictly adhere to the government protocols on control of coronavirus spread with Kenya Rugby Union providing all the necessary support from engaging technical teams and working in liaison with World Rugby, Rugby Africa and the government.

 KRU CEO Thomas Odundo said: “The union has locally provided the necessary support in terms of engaging a technical team and offering a decent training environment – pitch, equipment, nutrition and medical supplies. 

Mitigate risk

We have facilitated training camps and ensured travel for competition, among other pressing needs.” 

So far this season, only one match pitting KCB and Mwamba was postponed out of coronavirus-related concerns.

“The rate was extremely low.  Working with the government, we ensured players were prioritised for vaccination even when vaccines were not readily available and in return this greatly facilitated our leagues comeback. 

“Continuous education has also played a role in getting the players to  understand the risks involved and that has helped them mitigate such risks and we are pleased some clubs that were hard hit last season have taken steps to reduce the spread.” 

2021 will be remembered as the year where Kenya sevens team finished third in the World Series behind South Africa and Great Britain while KCB and Kabras Sugar club gave Kenya Cup fans a memorable final in Nandi Hills.