SCHOOLS: Kakamega's Koyonzo, Mwira crowned national rugby sevens champions

Koyonzo High School Rugby Team celebrate victory against Vihiga High School during Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association National chools ball games at Bull Ring in Kakamega county on August 11, 2023. Koyonzo won 22-12. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Koyonzo Secondary School and Mwira Mixed Secondary School from Kakamega are the 2023 Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) National Rugby sevens champions.

Koyonzo retained the title they won last year after withstanding a late Vihiga High School comeback attempt to win 22-12 in an entertaining boys rugby sevens final played at the Bull Ring on Friday.

Joseph Jibril gave Koyonzo the lead after touching down at the right corner flag in the opening minute before Kevin Otieno made it 10-0 inside the opening two minutes.

Brandon ‘Beast’ Mulefu outpaced the Vihiga defense to touch down a third unconverted try for Koyonzo before Owen Kedera scored Vihiga’s first try at the stroke of halftime to trail 15-7.

In the final half, Koyonzo was reduced to six men, a numerical advantage Vihiga capitalized on to reduce the scores to 15-12 through Victor Wawire’s unconverted try.

Despite numerous attempts to take the lead, Koyonzo withstood the pressure before sealing their second national title through Jibril’s center post try.

Speaking after their victory, Koyonzo head coach Elly Okwemba said they are happy for the win but work begins immediately in preparations for the East Africa games.

“We have proven again that it was not a fluke when we won the national title last year. We have done it again and congratulations to the boys.

“It was not an easy feat but am glad we pulled it through,” said Okwemba.

Mwira Mixed Secondary School players celebrate after winning the national girls' rugby sevens. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Meanwhile, Mwira Mixed Secondary School are the national girls rugby sevens champions.

Mwira who come from Matungu Sub County same as Koyonzo, defeated Gilgil Girls 10-5 to win their maiden gong.

Mwira head coach Christine Akinyi who was full of emotions and joy said she can't wait to take her girls to Rwanda.

Akinyi applauded the KSSSA management for working closely with the Kenya Rugby Union and the Ministry of Education to develop girls rugby, an initiative she says will uplift the standards of women’s rugby in the country.