Kabras v KCB final is more than just rugby for Kakamega County

Kabras Sugar's Jone Kubu in ction against KCB.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Today's Kenya Cup final between Kabras Sugar and KCB at the Kakamega Showground has not only created excitment for the rugby lovers but also the business community in Kakamega County who are keen to cash in from the event.

Most of the residents have considered the final as a big win for the region's economy.

The millers earned the rights of hosting the finals for the fourth season in a row after finishing top of the standings at the end of the regular 2022-23 season.

Kabras progressed to their eighth consecutive Kenya Cup final with a convincing 22-8 win over Kenya Harlequin last weekend.

Despite finally reclaiming the trophy last year after trouncing Menengai Oilers 35-28 in Kakamega, Kabras have failed to beat their newfound rivals KCB in the five Kenya Cup finals (2015,2017,2018,2019 and 2021) the two sides have met.

And having guided the millers to a 29-23 win over the bankers in Nairobi last month, Kabras Sugar coach Carlos Katywa is now determined to break the final jinx against their opponents today (3pm).

"We beat KCB in the regular season in Nairobi, so they are coming to the showground as underdogs. We shall not underrate them despite our win against them two weeks ago," said the South African tactician.

"It is fantastic to have the finals at Showground because it is a familiar ground for us."

Kabras Sugar boasts of a fairly strong team, supplying many players to national teams. Brian Tanga and Kevin Wekesa are with back in the team after featuring for Shujaa in Los Angeles and Vancouver Sevens legs, while Fijian born Jone Kubu has become a regular player for national fifteens team.

And as the two giants prepare to collide at Kakamega Showground today, residents are already reaping from the match thanks to the arrival of many rugby fans in the county.

Samwel Asati of KCB (left) sprints alongside Alfred Orege of Kabras Sugar.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

A survey by the Standard yesterday revealed that hotels experienced a surge in numbers of visitors from Wednesday ahead of the highly anticipated encounter.

From transport to hotel and tourism sectors, the impact seems to be huge.

Principal Marketing Officer of Golf Hotel Kakamega Maxon Ambwere said the majority of their guests were rugby fans, players and organisers of the events.

"Last year's finals, also hosted in the town, had a big economic impact on us. I am particularly happy and wish the Kenya Cup finals would be coming to Kakamega every year for the obvious reason that there is always a business boom," he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Nickel Okumu, the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce KNCCI CEO Kakamega chapter who termed this year's finals in Kakamega as a blessing to the business community.

West Kenya Sugar Company Managing Director Rai Tejveer said as Kabras Sugar RFC sponsors they are happy to see Kenya Cup finals hosted in rural areas.

"I am very happy for the boys; they have managed to bring finals in rural places not once but many times. Rugby is no longer a Nairobi event as you can attest to its growth in the rural areas going by the numbers of fans gathering outside Nairobi and other major cities," said Tejveer.