The 2025 National Sevens Circuit heads to Kisumu this weekend 13th and 14th September for the much-anticipated Dala 7s, the final leg of the 2025 season.
The tournament, whose name “Dala” means home in Luo, has been a mainstay on the rugby calendar since 2003 and Scrummage Africa looks at the list of champions since.
Kabras RFC enter the competition as defending champions, having lifted their maiden Dala 7s crown in 2024 with a commanding 24-5 victory over Menengai Oilers at the Mamboleo Grounds in Kisumu.
The most decorated side in the tournament’s history is KCB Rugby, who have won the title six times.
The bankers first tasted glory in 2004, followed by victories in 2006 then 2014 where Philip Wamae, Edwin Salamba, and Oliver Mang’eni powered them past Homeboyz for a 21-5 win at Mamboleo Showground in the final.
They returned to the top in 2019, dismantling Menengai Oilers 30-5, before adding two more crowns in 2023 and earlier triumphs that cemented their dominance.
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Mwamba RFC, famously led by Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange in their golden years, have three titles to their name, including back-to-back wins in 2010 and 2011 at the Kisumu Polytechnic Grounds and another in 2018 at Mamboleo.
Homeboyz RFC also boast three trophies, beginning with their emphatic 48-5 victory over Kenya Harlequin in 2016, followed by a dramatic 12-10 win over KCB in 2017, and their most recent success in 2022.
Kenya Harlequin (2005, 2012) and Nakuru RFC (2009, 2015) have each lifted the Dala 7s twice, while Ulinzi were the inaugural champions in 2003.
Strathmore Leos also etched their name on the roll of honour with a single victory in 2013.
As the teams prepare for this year’s showdown in Kisumu, the spotlight will be on whether Kabras can defend their title or if KCB will extend their record haul of six championships.
Dala 7s Roll of Honour (Since 2003):
2003: Ulinzi
2004: KCB Rugby
2005: Kenya Harlequin
2006: KCB Rugby
2007: No competition
2008: No competition
2009: Nakuru
2010: Mwamba
2011: Mwamba
2012: Kenya Harlequin
2013: Strathmore Leos
2014: KCB Rugby
2015: Nakuru
2016: Homeboyz
2017: Homeboyz
2018: Mwamba
2019: KCB Rugby
2020: No competition (due to COVID-19)
2021: No competition (due to COVID-19)
2022: Homeboyz
2023: KCB Rugby
2024: Kabras
Dala 7s Summary of Titles
KCB Rugby – 6 titles (2004, 2006, 2014, 2019, 2023)
Mwamba RFC – 3 titles (2010, 2011, 2018)
Homeboyz RFC – 3 titles (2016, 2017, 2022)
Kenya Harlequin – 2 titles (2005, 2012)
Nakuru RFC – 2 titles (2009, 2015)
Ulinzi RFC – 1 title (2003)
Strathmore Leos – 1 title (2013)
Kabras RFC – 1 title (2024)
