The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has unveiled an ambitious eight-year performance strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s national fifteens teams and securing qualification for the 2035 Rugby World Cup.
The proposed 2027–2035 Fifteens Performance Strategy, themed “From Reach to Readiness,” seeks to shift the focus from expanding participation to improving player quality, match readiness and sustained international competitiveness.
The roadmap covers the Kenya Simbas, Kenya Lionesses, Chipu, and the under-16 and under-18 programmes. It aims to establish an integrated player-development pathway linking schools and clubs to age-grade competitions and senior national teams.
The strategy will be implemented in three phases: Build (2027–2028), Compete (2029–2031) and Sustain (2032–2035).
The build phase will focus on structured player-development curricula, regular assessments, coaching workshops, mentorship programmes and national performance camps during the Kenya Cup season.
KRU director in charge of 15s rugby Moses Mukabane said the ultimate ambition was to guide Kenya to the 2035 Rugby World Cup.
“Ultimately, that is what we are looking at over the next two rugby cycles,” said Mukabane.
He acknowledged that inadequate preparation had hampered previous World Cup qualification campaigns, adding that the new roadmap would provide a more structured approach to squad development.
“Our preparation heading into qualifiers has not been ideal, but with this roadmap, it gives us leverage,” he said.
International exposure will be central to the strategy, with KRU targeting six to 10 international matches annually for the Simbas. The under-20 programme is also expected to receive approximately eight meaningful match opportunities to accelerate player development.
The union also plans to strengthen domestic competition through a proposed Super Series linking the Kenya Cup, Kenya A and the Simbas, creating a clearer pathway from club rugby to international representation.
Women’s fifteens rugby will receive greater attention through increased domestic fixtures and an improved development pathway for the Lionesses. Expanded competitive opportunities for under-16, under-18 and under-20 players will also support progression into national teams.
To improve sustainability, KRU proposes establishing a Kenya 15s Partnership Circle involving corporate partners, rugby legends, former union leaders and other stakeholders. Revenue diversification through ticketing, hospitality, merchandising, broadcasting and commercial partnerships will also be prioritised.
The first year will focus on establishing the development framework, securing international fixtures, strengthening coaching capacity, planning the Super Series and expanding women’s and age-grade competitions.
The Compete phase will target improved international performances, while Sustain will seek to maintain consistent standards and position Kenya to challenge for 2035 Rugby World Cup qualification.
Through the strategy, KRU hopes to replace short-term preparation cycles with a sustainable system capable of producing competitive national fifteens teams.
