East Africa games: Kinale Girls, Koyonzo dominate rugby

Joyce Waithera of Kinale Girls (center) in action during the East Africa rugby sevens in Kakamega on August 14,2025. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

National rugby sevens girls’ champions Kinale Secondary School from Central made their intentions of winning the East Africa games clear after thrashing St Teresa’s Secondary, Kithimu 43-7 at Bull Ring in Kakamega on Thursday.

Waithera Muniu scored a hat-trick in the win as Joyce Waithea and Elizabeth Wafula netted a brace each. Njeri Wanjiku converted four tries in the win.

Kinale Girls rugby coach Allan Bush commended his girls for showing character and killing off the game early.

“It was our first game and we needed to win to get off big. We build onto this ahead of our next matches,” said Bush.

Last year, Kinale lost to defending East Africa champions St Joseph Girls, Kitale but they are keen to turn the tables this year.

Meanwhile, the defending champions were stunned 7-0 by Jinja Secondary School.

Kevin Alutomia of Koyonzo Secondary (right) in action during the East Africa rugby sevens in Kakamega on August 14,2026. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Former East Africa champions Koyonzo Secondary School hammered Makerere College 52-0 with Becam Wangila netting a hat-trick of tries.

Friends School Bwake from Rift Valley meanwhile hammered St Mary’s Kisubu 49-0.

In rugby 15s, debutants and national champions Vihiga Boys narrowly overcame Uganda’s Namilyango College 20-15.

In the second game, Kenya’s other representatives Upper Hill School came from behind to beat Uganda’s Jinja Secondary 26-19.

Kisii School made a dream debut in rugby 15s after thrashing Uganda’s Kings College 34-12.