By Gran Chico
September 13, 2026
Menengai Oilers capped their 2026 campaign in style on Sunday, defeating Strathmore Leos 24-12 in the final of the 60th Christie Sevens at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi to lift the prestigious trophy in the final leg of the SportPesa National Sevens Circuit.
The Nakuru-based side recovered from an early setback before taking control of the contest and securing a deserved victory.
Strathmore made the brighter start when Collins Maina crossed in the far corner, although the conversion was missed to leave the Leos 5-0 ahead. Oilers responded almost immediately through Veron Kaburu, who restored parity at 5-5.
Glacious Owino then produced a decisive moment, powering down the left flank to score before converting his own try as Menengai went into the break with a 12-5 advantage.
Oilers continued their dominance after the restart, with Paul Mutsami extending their lead before Owino added the extras to make it 19-5. Chrispine Shitundo then crossed for another try as the Nakuru side moved further out of reach.
Strathmore found a late consolation through Amon Wamalwa, who scored and converted to reduce the deficit to 24-12, but the comeback never materialised as Oilers held on to claim the Christie Sevens crown.
The triumph marks Menengai Oilers’ first Main Cup title of the 2026 circuit and makes them the only team outside the KCB-Kabras rivalry to win a Main Cup trophy during the season.
Oilers had earlier stunned Kabras Sugar 20-10 in the semi-finals, while Strathmore produced another major upset by eliminating circuit leaders KCB Rugby 19-12 to book their place in the final.
Despite missing out on the Christie final, KCB were crowned the overall 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit champions after securing third place at the final leg.
The Bankers defeated Kabras Sugar 5-0 in a tense third-place playoff that went beyond regulation time, with George Ooro scoring the decisive try to settle the contest.
KCB had entered the Christie Sevens at the top of the standings with 98 points, six ahead of Kabras on 92. With both sides eliminated in the semi-finals, KCB’s third-place finish was enough to secure the overall championship on 115 points, while Kabras finished second on 107.
The victory gives KCB a record sixth National Sevens Circuit title, adding the 2026 crown to previous triumphs in 2013, 2014, 2019, 2023 and 2025.
KCB also won three of the six legs during the season, lifting the Prinsloo Sevens after beating Kabras 19-12, the Kabeberi Sevens following a 14-12 victory over Strathmore, and the Embu Sevens after edging Kabras 12-10. Kabras claimed the Dala and Driftwood Sevens titles.
The 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit delivered a fiercely contested campaign, with KCB and Kabras dominating the overall race while other sides continued to close the gap.
Menengai Oilers’ triumph in the historic 60th Christie Sevens provided the perfect final twist, proving that the Kenyan sevens landscape is becoming increasingly competitive and that the traditional giants no longer have a monopoly on silverware.
