Western Bulls, Kisii, Kitale and Masinde Muliro beef up squad ahead of return

Revived Masinde Muliro thrash Kitale as Bulls and Kisumu draw MMUST RFC Captain Samwel Mbeche (right) in action against Kisii RFC in a past sevens action.(Photo: Washington Onyango/Standard)

Championship to resume on January 12

Teams beef up squads ahead of championships fixtures

Top clubs make additional signings in bid to land Kenya Cup promotion slots.

The 2018-19 Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) championships matches will resume this weekend after the Christmas break.

Already, top clubs are making vital signings as they gear up for the race to Kenya Cup promotion.

After five matches, unbeaten Dennis Mwanja’s United States International University-Africa (USIU) RFC side lead in standings with a 100% win record as Western Bulls follow in second.

Mwanja, who also doubles as the KCB assistant coach, said they are good to go and did not require any signings.

“I think we are good to go. As of now, we don’t need new acquisitions, however, it would have been a plus for us, were it to happen. The university has a strict policy of playing students only,” said Mwanja.

However, second-placed Western Bulls have confirmed the arrival of six new players in the just-concluded mid-season transfer window.

Head coach Bram Shikanda said the six players will add depth into his already growing team as they focus on dethroning leaders USIU.

Utility Back Israel Wekulo has made a return to the club from rivals Kisumu RFC, with uprising lock Alvin Otieno ditching fellow championships side Egerton RFC for the Kakamega-based side.

The side has also roped in halfbacks Jevon Okoth (unattached) and Billy Nubia, with the latter joining from Webuye RFC.

Henry Odhiambo, who was also an unattached utility together with Kevin Mutaly (from Sigalagal RFC) complete the six new members of the former Kenya Cup side.

“With the new players, I believe will be able to extend our fine run in the championship as we push for promotion. The most important thing is to start the year on a high by winning against Catholic University,” Shikanda said.

Meanwhile, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) RFC completed the signing of former Kakamega High School rugby player Ejakait Okwemba and Emmanuel ‘Makwata’ Mulaa, who joined from St. Joseph High, Mumias.

In Kisii, Resolution Kisii RFC head coach Eric Bosire also confirmed the arrival of Harlequins duo Edwin Okwemba (center) and Brian Beckham (utility), who is on loan until the end of the season.

“The two bring in Kenya Cup experience which will greatly be vital in winning us top matches as we push to regain our top flight rugby status,” Bosire said.

Elsewhere, 10th-placed Kitale RFC also added three players in a bid to move up the table.

Arnold Kipkemboi, Alvin Wangatia and Thomas Khaemba, from Technical University of Mombasa, Western Bulls and Webuye RFC respectively, will team up with the Kitale squad as they prepare to travel to Ngong.

KRU championships is expected to resume this weekend with the big match featuring USIU and Kisumu RFC in Nairobi.

The lakeside team will travel to Nairobi on Thursday with head coach Howard Okwemba yearning for a win.

Reinhardt Ashioya (centre), Erastus Wanyama (scrumhalf) and Victor Brolyn (second row) have joined Kisumu.