Kabras chase history as KCB seek revenge in Kenya Cup final
Rugby
By
Washington Onyango
| May 09, 2026
History, revenge, and pride will all be on the line when defending champions Kabras Sugar host rivals KCB Rugby in today’s Kenya Cup final at Kakamega Showground from 3 pm.
The match brings together the two dominant sides in Kenyan rugby over the last decade, with Kabras chasing a historic fifth straight Kenya Cup title while KCB hopes to reclaim a trophy they last lifted four seasons ago.
No team has managed a Kenya Cup five-peat in the last 42 years. The last club to achieve that feat was Nondies between 1978 and 1982. A victory for Kabras would see the Kakamega-based side join Nondies and Impala as the only clubs to win five consecutive titles.
Kabras have ruled Kenyan rugby in recent seasons, winning the Kenya Cup in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
They have also turned Kakamega Showground into a fortress, winning the last three finals played at the venue.
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Today’s final will be the fifth Kenya Cup decider hosted at the ground, with the other two hosted by Kabras at Nandi Bears and the Bull Ring.
However, KCB arrive with memories of past success against the sugar men in finals. The bankers have beaten Kabras in five Kenya Cup finals, including victories in 2019 at the same venue and in 2021 at Nandi Bears.
Before Kabras began their current dominance, KCB had won four straight finals against them.
That balance of power has changed sharply since 2022.
Kabras are unbeaten in their last six Kenya Cup meetings against KCB and have not lost to the bankers in any 15s competition in their last 10 meetings. The run includes six unbeaten Kenya Cup matches and four straight Enterprise Cup victories.
The head-to-head record also shows how the rivalry has evolved. KCB dominated the early years after Kabras earned promotion in 2014, winning finals in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. But Kabras have responded strongly, winning the last two Kenya Cup finals between the sides in 2023 and 2024.
The most recent meeting between the teams, played in March this year at KCB Sports Club, ended 10-10 after heavy rain forced the match to stop at halftime.
That draw ended Kabras’ incredible run of 50 consecutive wins in the Kenya Cup under coach Carlos Katywa. Since taking charge from Jerome Muller, Katywa has overseen 51 Kenya Cup matches, winning 50 and drawing one.
Another key figure for Kabras will be captain George Nyambua, who is set to appear in his 11th straight Kenya Cup final. Nyambua has captained the side to the last three titles and remains unbeaten in finals as skipper.
While Kabras rely heavily on structure and consistency, KCB will look to their experience and tactical kicking game.
The bankers are chasing a ninth Kenya Cup title, a victory that would move them ahead of Kenya Harlequin as the third most successful club in the competition behind Nondies and Impala.
The battle for individual honours has also added another layer to the contest.
KCB fly-half Brian Wahinya heads into the final leading the kickable points chart with 94 points, narrowly ahead of Kabras utility back Eric Cantona on 88. Cantona, however, remains the league’s overall top scorer with 133 points compared to Wahinya’s 109.
Kabras also boast serious attacking threats in Patrick Lumumba and Jeanson Misoga, who have both scored 10 tries this season. Cantona has added nine tries of his own, showing the champions’ attacking depth.
Although Menengai Oilers missed the final, their winger Alvin Khavoli still leads the try-scoring standings with 14 tries, while teammate Daniel Kipchirchir has 12.
For KCB, the final presents a chance to stop Kabras from making history.
For Kabras, it is another opportunity to prove that they are now the standard in Kenyan rugby.
Meanwhile, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Cougars will face off with former Kenya Cup outfit Mwamba in the KRU Championship final. Both JKUAT and Mwamba have been promoted, replacing the relegated duo of MMUST and Kisumu RFC.