Safaricom has committed Ksh2 million through M-PESA to support the upcoming Safari 7s rugby tournament at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The company announced the sponsorship on 7 Oct 2026 ahead of the three-day tournament starting on 9 Oct 2026.

The sponsorship links Kenyan sport with mobile payments and connectivity services for fans and businesses attending the tournament.

“We wish Shujaa and the Lionesses success as they defend their titles,” Safaricom chief executive officer Peter Ndegwa said.

Safaricom said it would strengthen network capacity at the stadium to help spectators share and follow the matches.

The company said dedicated connectivity would also support the tournament’s live broadcast during the three days of competition.

Its plans include bringing digital services and customer support to fans and businesses at the venue.

The commitment builds on a two-year partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union valued at more than Ksh100 million according to Safaricom.

That partnership supports the national Sevens teams through M-PESA and covers both Kenya Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses.

Safaricom said the arrangement provides monthly allowances for players and officials alongside medical insurance, airtime allowances and financial literacy programmes.

Kenya Rugby Union chairperson Harriet Okach said the company’s connectivity investment would help fans follow the action.

Okach also said support for women’s rugby through the M-PESA partnership continued to make a difference.

“We look forward to delivering an exciting Safari 7s and encourage fans to turn up in large numbers to support our teams,” Okach said.

Safaricom said fans would be able to access matchday tickets through the Tikohub MiniApp within My OneApp.

The company said streaming bundles would also be available through My OneApp for spectators following the matches.

Visitors would be able to use M-PESA GlobalPay as a payment option during the tournament according to the release.

The planned services place ticket access and mobile payments alongside Safaricom’s network support within the same sporting event.

Safaricom said M-PESA generated more than Ksh182.7 billion in revenue for the financial year ending in March 2026.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company reported annual revenues of Ksh400 billion as at March 2026 in its corporate background information.

The tournament’s 28th edition will feature 18 teams across the men’s and women’s competitions according to the organisers’ programme in the release.

Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Morans will join international and invitational sides in the men’s competition.

The women’s competition will feature Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Cubs, Shibli and teams from Uganda, Tunisia and Spain.

Defending champions Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses will return for the tournament running from 9 to 11 Oct 2026.

Safaricom has committed Ksh2 million through M-PESA to support connectivity and digital services at Nyayo National Stadium for the upcoming 2026 Safari 7s tournament.

The company announced the sponsorship in Nairobi on 7 Oct 2026 ahead of the tournament running from 9 to 11 Oct 2026.

“We wish Shujaa and the Lionesses success as they defend their titles,” said Safaricom chief executive Peter Ndegwa.

The sponsorship matters to Kenya’s business sector because it brings mobile payments and connectivity services to fans and businesses at a national sporting event.

Safaricom said it would increase network capacity at the stadium to help spectators follow matches and share content during the three-day competition.

The company said dedicated connectivity would also support the tournament’s live broadcast.

Beyond network services, Safaricom said it would provide access to ticketing and streaming bundles through My OneApp during the event.

Fans will be able to access matchday tickets through the Tikohub MiniApp within My OneApp according to the company.

Safaricom said visitors would also be able to use M-PESA GlobalPay as a payment option during the tournament.

The announcement places the company’s payment and digital services alongside its sports sponsorship rather than limiting its involvement to financial support.

Safaricom said the latest commitment builds on its two-year partnership with the Kenya Rugby Union valued at more than Ksh100 million.

That partnership supports the national sevens teams Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses through M-PESA according to the company.

Safaricom said the arrangement provides monthly allowances for players and officials alongside medical insurance, airtime allowances and financial literacy programmes.

Kenya Rugby Union chairperson Harriet Okach said the connectivity investment would help fans follow the tournament and welcomed the continued support for women’s rugby.

“We look forward to delivering an exciting Safari 7s,” said Okach.

The sponsorship also gives Safaricom another setting to present services from a payments business that contributes substantially to its reported revenue.

In its background information, Safaricom said M-PESA generated more than Ksh182.7 billion in revenue for the financial year ending in March 2026.

The company said its annual revenue stood at Ksh400 billion as at March 2026.

Safaricom said M-PESA serves 41 million customers who use their phones to transact, save or borrow money.

The company said the 28th Safari 7s would feature 18 teams across the men’s and women’s competitions.

Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Morans will join international and invitational sides in the men’s competition according to the release.

The women’s competition will feature Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Cubs, Shibli and teams from Uganda, Tunisia and Spain.

Defending champions Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses return to Nyayo National Stadium when the tournament opens on 9 Oct 2026.

MAFA Academy and MCF Starlets received Ksh250,000 each after winning the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Region football finals at Moi Stadium in Embu.

Safaricom said in a press release dated 4 Oct 2026 that both teams also qualified for the national finals.

The tournament links youth football in Kenya to cash awards and tertiary education scholarships through Safaricom’s Citizens of the Future Programme.

MAFA Academy head coach Ibrahim Abdisalan said, “Our focus now immediately shifts to the National Finals.”

The company said individual prizes included smartphones and airtime alongside the cash awards for the winning teams.

Runners-up Mikinduri Rock-Star FC and Manyatta Royal Queens Academy received Ksh150,000 each.

Cecilia Wanjiku of MCF Starlets and Hussein Edin of MAFA Academy won the Most Valuable Player awards.

Safaricom said each received Ksh30,000 and a fully funded tertiary education scholarship under its Citizens of the Future Programme.

The education awards extend the tournament’s rewards beyond football by supporting further study for the two individual winners.

MAFA Academy from Isiolo beat Mikinduri Rock-Star FC eight goals to nil to secure their first regional boys’ title.

Zakar Mohamed scored a hat-trick after opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the seventh minute.

Hussein Edin and Abduba Daud also scored before half-time to give MAFA a three-goal advantage.

Abdizak Ali added another goal after the break before Mohamed and Wako Dabaso each scored twice to complete the victory.

Abdisalan said the academy had prepared for the tournament for two years before securing the regional title.

MCF Starlets from Machakos defeated hosts Manyatta Royal Queens Academy three goals to one in the girls’ final.

The Machakos side scored in the 17th and 62nd minutes before Justa Mwende pulled a goal back for Royal Queens.

Jacinta Nzuna scored MCF Starlets’ third goal in the 90th minute to settle the contest.

MCF Starlets head coach Abednego Matata said, “Nothing makes us happier than winning the Chapa Dimba Regional Trophy.”

Matata said his side would represent the entire Eastern Region rather than Machakos alone at the national finals.

Redemptah Mutanu of MCF Starlets and Abdullahi Muhammed of MAFA Academy received the Best Goalkeeper awards.

The Eastern winners join Nyanza qualifiers Awendo Football Academy and Plateau Queens in the national finals.

Central Region teams St. Joseph Starlets and LYSA have also qualified alongside Western Region’s Vihiga Cranes and Lugari Progressive.

Safaricom said Chapa Dimba targets young people aged 14 to 17 across Kenya.

The tournament moves next to the Nairobi Region following the conclusion of the Eastern finals.

Safaricom said eight teams reached its Chapa Dimba Eastern semifinals in Embu after winning quarterfinal matches on 2 Oct 2026.

The competition links corporate support for Kenyan football with cash awards and financial literacy training for participating players and coaches.

Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni secured a boys’ semifinal place after beating Embu hosts Black Cats Football Academy 2-1.

“Our aim is to lift the trophy as we proceed to the semifinals set for tomorrow,” said Mbuthani Secondary School head coach Geoffrey Mwendwa.

Safaricom said regional champions will receive Ksh250,000 and runners-up Ksh150,000 alongside individual prizes including smartphones.

The quarterfinal matches took place at Kairuri, Nembure, Kamiu and Embu Showground according to the company’s press release.

In the girls’ competition Royal Queens Academy from Embu defeated regional defending champions Syomunyu Queens from Kitui 2-0 at Kairuri Grounds.

Royal Queens Academy head coach Muka Protus said an early goal reduced pressure on his team against the defending champions.

Dakabaricha Secondary School from Marsabit advanced after beating Bridge Starlets from Isiolo 2-1 to secure another girls’ semifinal place.

AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni beat Mugona Girls from Tharaka Nithi 5-1 to progress to the next round.

MCF Starlets from Machakos completed the girls’ semifinal line-up after a 1-0 victory over Akuune Queens from Meru.

In the boys’ competition Golden Football Academy from Machakos beat Marsabit’s Abdary FC 3-2 on penalties after a 4-4 draw.

MAFA Academy from Isiolo defeated Kajiunduthu High School from Tharaka Nithi 4-2 on penalties after the teams drew 1-1.

Kitui’s academy side secured the remaining boys’ semifinal place with a 2-1 win against Mikinduri Rock-Star FC.

Safaricom said players and coaches attended clinics at Moi Stadium after the quarterfinal matches.

The sessions covered financial literacy, data privacy, mental health and AI-powered vests among other topics.

The financial and technology sessions place the tournament within Safaricom’s wider business interests in connectivity and mobile financial services.

Safaricom said it serves more than 71.6 million customers across Kenya and Ethiopia through its telecommunications operations.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company reported annual revenues of Ksh400 billion as at Mar 2026 in the release.

The semifinals will take place at Moi Stadium in Embu on 3 Oct 2026.

AIC Sultan Queens will face MCF Starlets in the opening girls’ semifinal before Royal Queens Academy play Dakabaricha Secondary School.

Golden Football Academy will meet the Kitui side in the first boys’ semifinal before MAFA Academy face Mbuthani Secondary School.

The semifinal winners will advance to the regional finals on 4 Oct 2026.

KCB Rugby Club will host and compete in the 2026 KCB MET 7s tournament on Saturday, July 4, at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka, Nairobi, as Kenyan clubs intensify preparations for the upcoming National Sevens Circuit.

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU)-sanctioned tournament will feature 16 teams split into four pools. KCB Rugby Club has been drawn in Pool A alongside Homeboyz RFC, Kabete Stallions and JKUAT Cougars, setting up a series of early fixtures that organisers say will test squads ahead of the national circuit.

Pool B includes Daystar Falcons, KU Blakblad, Makueni Ravens and USIU Eagles. Pool C has Catholic Monks, Zetech, NYS and Mean Machine, while Pool D brings together Kenya Harlequins, Mwamba RFC, Stingerz RFC and Northern Suburbs, according to the tournament line-up shared by organisers.

The event comes as corporate-backed sports properties continue to play a visible role in Kenya’s rugby ecosystem, particularly in supporting competitive calendars outside the marquee national circuit and the international sevens programme. For clubs, pre-season and build-up tournaments have become a key avenue to evaluate playing combinations and give match minutes to new signings and youth players under competitive conditions.

Brian Mwita, vice chairperson of KCB Rugby Club, said the tournament is positioned as both a development platform and a competitive test for the club. “The KCB MET 7s represents our commitment to the growth of rugby in Kenya by creating opportunities for players across all levels to compete on one platform,” Mwita said. “As a club, we are excited to once again support this initiative while using it to sharpen our squad ahead of what promises to be a highly competitive National Sevens Circuit.”

Now in its fifth edition, the MET 7s was launched in 2022 through Stingerz Rugby Football Club, with organisers saying its aim was to bridge the gap between grassroots rugby and elite competition. Since its launch, the event has expanded participation among clubs, and organisers said it has drawn recognition from stakeholders including KRU and Rugby Africa.

Collins Nabiswa, the tournament director, linked the competition to player development pathways and said KCB’s involvement has supported delivery of the event. “Our vision has always been to create a sustainable pathway where young players can compete alongside established talent and gain the experience needed to progress to higher levels of the game,” Nabiswa said. “The partnership with KCB Rugby Club has significantly enhanced the tournament's impact, allowing us to deliver an event that not only entertains but also contributes meaningfully to the growth of rugby in Kenya.”

While the organiser statement did not disclose the event’s sponsorship value, KCB said its sports support spans multiple disciplines and includes ownership of teams and sponsorship of events in volleyball, football and rugby, as well as support in chess, athletics and golf.

For Kenya’s sports business landscape, such tournaments create inventory for sponsorship activation, media coverage and fan engagement—particularly in Nairobi, where corporate-hosted venues can reduce event delivery costs and improve the reliability of the match calendar. They also provide a pipeline for talent identification ahead of the National Sevens Circuit, which remains the primary domestic platform feeding elite club performance and, indirectly, national team selections.

Organisers said the tournament will serve as a competitive build-up event, giving coaches a chance to assess combinations, integrate new players and refine tactics ahead of the national series. The next milestone will be the July 4 match day in Ruaraka, after which teams are expected to transition into final preparations for the National Sevens Circuit.

Keean and Kael Shah won the Top Kenya title at the inaugural Carrefour Open Padel Tournament on Sunday, beating Amar Shah and Gaston Castro 7-6 in the final at Networks Padel Village in Nairobi, according to a statement shared with media dated June 9, 2026.

The win closed a four-day tournament hosted by Carrefour Kenya, in partnership with Networks Padel Village. Organisers said the competition attracted more than 250 athletes across divisions that included Top Kenya, Advanced, Mixed, High Intermediate, Intermediate and Open categories, competing for a total prize pool of KES 700,000.

In the women’s final, Khaaliqa Nimji and Seyaana Ladha won after defeating Sharon and Faith, the statement said. Third place in the Top Kenya category was shared between the teams of Maxwell Kombo and Devin Shretta, and Helder Simao and Markel.

The organisers said the Top Kenya champions received KES 100,000 in prize money, while runners-up Amar Shah and Gaston Castro took home KES 40,000. The two third-placed teams each received KES 30,000.

The event adds to a growing calendar of commercial sports activations in Nairobi as retailers and venue operators increasingly partner on tournaments that bring together participation fees, sponsorship and brand visibility. Carrefour Kenya is operated by Majid Al Futtaim, which holds exclusive rights to run the Carrefour brand in Kenya, according to the statement.

Speaking after the final, Keean and Kael Shah said the victory came during their first time playing together as a duo in the tournament setting.

“This was our first time playing together as brothers, and we have to give credit to our opponents for putting up a great fight. In the first set, they had us completely confused, but once we figured out our game, we were able to capitalize,” the pair said in a joint quote provided by organisers.

They added that the match demanded tactical adjustment and mental strength against a familiar pairing.

“It was a very competitive match and a fantastic final. Amar’s left-handed play brings a very different challenge, while Gaston makes you work for every point. In the end, it was as much a mental game as it was physical,” they said.

Organisers said the tournament featured nine categories in total: Top Kenya, Men’s Advanced, Ladies Advanced, Mixed Advanced, Men’s High Intermediate, Men’s Intermediate, Ladies Intermediate, Mixed Intermediate and Open Level 2.0. Participants also competed for gift hampers alongside cash prizes, according to the statement.

Beyond competitive play, the statement said the Carrefour Open included community engagement initiatives such as a youth tournament that introduced younger players to padel and provided mentorship through Networks Padel Village coaches.

For Kenya’s sports and leisure market, the tournament underlines increasing private-sector involvement in niche but fast-growing sports, with dedicated facilities and structured competitions supporting a broader ecosystem that includes coaching, events management, retail partnerships and hospitality spend around venues.

Organisers did not announce dates for a second edition, but said the conclusion of the inaugural event marked a milestone in the sport’s development locally, suggesting further tournament activity could follow as participation grows.

KCB FC will play Tusker FC on Saturday at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium in the FKF Cup semi-final, as the Kenya Premier League side targets a place in the final after falling short in the 2023/2024 title match.

The club said head coach Robert Matano’s squad last reached the FKF Cup final in the 2023/2024 season, losing to Kenya Police on penalties after a goalless draw in regular time. The Nyayo Stadium tie sets up another high-stakes meeting with a domestic rival as KCB looks to convert its recent cup run into silverware.

According to the club’s match preview, KCB opened its knockout campaign with a 1-0 win over Compel FC before advancing with a 4-0 victory over Zetech Titans in the Round of 32. The team then beat Chebaiywa Lions 3-0 in the Round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals. KCB said Richard Omondi scored the decisive goal in the quarter-final to eliminate Nairobi United, a result the club contrasted with its previous season’s exit to the same opponent by a 1-0 scoreline in the Round of 16.

Matano said the team’s preparation has focused on maintaining discipline while managing the challenge posed by Tusker.

“We have worked hard to reach this stage and the players have shown great discipline and character, Tusker is a strong opponent, but we are prepared for the challenge and focused on achieving our objective of reaching the final,” Robert Matano, Head Coach, KCB FC, said in the statement.

Team captain Alembo said the squad believes it has improved tactically since earlier matches in the season.

“The boys are ready. We have had our winnings; we have improved our strategy. We are ready to take on Tusker FC and emerge victorious,” Alembo, Team Captain, KCB FC, said.

KCB also pointed to a clean-sheet run in the competition as a key performance marker ahead of the semi-final. The club said it has reached the last four without conceding a goal, with Fadhili Masoud, Nashon Alembi, Siraj Mohammed and Victor Okello forming the core of the starting defensive unit during the campaign.

The FKF Cup remains an important trophy in Kenya’s football calendar, offering clubs a separate path to silverware beyond league performance while attracting sponsor attention and fan engagement across key urban venues. For corporates that back club football, deep cup runs also provide predictable matchday visibility and media coverage at a time when sports marketing budgets face increased scrutiny on returns.

KCB Group-backed KCB FC sits within the bank’s broader sports portfolio, which the organisation says includes KCB Women Volleyball Club and KCB Rugby Football Club, alongside support for other disciplines such as chess, athletics and golf. The bank said it has spent “millions of shillings” on sponsorships over the years, though it did not disclose a specific figure for current-season football support.

After the FKF Cup semi-final, KCB said it will return to league action in the SportPesa league, with a match against Sofapaka scheduled for May 17 at Kasarani Annex.

Kenyan rugby player Andy Cole Omolo is set to relocate to Japan to join Tenri University’s rugby programme in Osaka, in a move that will see him combine academics with competitive sport, according to a statement issued by KCB. The 21-year-old lock, who turns 22 on May 2, will pursue a degree in International Relations while playing for the university.

Omolo is currently attached to KCB Rugby Club and is part of the Kenya Simbas setup, the statement said. His switch adds to a growing trend of Kenyan athletes using education-linked pathways to access overseas playing opportunities, particularly in markets where university rugby serves as a feeder system into professional leagues.

“This is a big step for me and the first step towards becoming a professional rugby player. I am excited about the opportunity to grow both academically and on the pitch in Japan. I extend gratitude to Wazi Wazi and DBA Africa for their relentless pursuit of this chance,” Omolo said in the statement.

Omolo’s development has been closely tied to western Kenya’s school rugby pipeline. He was born and raised in Chavakali and attended Walodeya Primary School, where he started playing rugby in Class 7.

“I grew up in Chavakali and went to Walodeya Primary School. I started playing rugby in Class 7, but I wasn’t very serious at the time; I was still focused on football,” he said.

His commitment to rugby deepened at Chavakali High School from 2019, where he trained with the Kabras age-grade team, played for Western Chipu while still in school, and captained the school side for two years, according to the statement.

“When I joined Chavakali High School, that’s when I really focused on rugby. I trained with the Kabras age-grade team, played for Western Chipu while still in high school, and had the privilege of captaining Chavakali for two years,” Omolo said.

After high school, he joined Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), where he featured in three Kenya Cup matches before the team’s relegation, KCB said. The statement added that his performances earned him a call-up to the national Under-20 side in 2023. He later moved to KCB Rugby Club.

KCB Rugby Club head coach Andrew Amonde said the Japan opportunity reflects Omolo’s development since joining the club.

“Andy has shown tremendous discipline and work ethic since joining KCB. His progression has been impressive, and this opportunity in Japan is well deserved. We believe this move will expose him to a higher level of competition and help him reach his full potential,” Amonde said.

For Kenya’s sports business landscape, the move underscores how local club structures and sponsorship ecosystems are increasingly linked to international player pathways. While the statement did not disclose financial terms of the move, overseas placements can raise player valuation, broaden talent exposure, and strengthen the profile of Kenyan rugby institutions among foreign recruiters.

KCB also positioned the transfer as an example of how education and sport can be paired to unlock cross-border opportunities for athletes. The bank maintains sports assets across several disciplines, including KCB Rugby Football Club, KCB Football Club and KCB Women Volleyball Club, it said.

Omolo is expected to transition to Tenri University ahead of his academic and rugby schedule in Japan. His progress in Osaka will be watched by local clubs and the national team setup as Kenya continues to build depth in forward positions and expand player export routes beyond traditional destinations.