Kisumu Rugby Football Club (RFC) has secured a major financial boost ahead of the 2025/2026 Kenya Cup season, unveiling three strategic sponsors poised to supercharge its campaign in the country’s top-flight rugby league.
At a high-profile event held in Kisumu on Tuesday, June 24, the club announced Homeland Itoya Events Ltd as its main sponsor, committing KSh 2 million in both cash and in-kind support. Renowned legal firm Olendo, Oraro & Samba Advocates LLP pledged an additional KSh 1 million, while Urban Radio joined as the official media partner, tasked with amplifying the club’s visibility and deepening community engagement.
Club Chairman Dr. Gabriel Ouma hailed the sponsorship as a milestone not just for Kisumu RFC, but for the broader rugby fraternity in Kenya.
“Today is not just a good day for Kisumu RFC, but for the entire rugby fraternity in Kenya,” said Dr. Ouma. “A win for one community club is a win for all. Homeland Itoya Events has come on board with KSh 2 million, which will help us honor our fixtures, set up structures, and build a competitive side capable of bringing the trophy to this region.”
He also called on local fans and stakeholders to throw their support behind the team, highlighting rugby’s potential to uplift grassroots talent and foster community pride.
Kisumu RFC Secretary General Robert Wechesi confirmed that the club will retain its entire technical bench for the new season. Head coach Howard Okwemba, who successfully steered the team through a challenging campaign last year, will continue to lead the squad, assisted by former Kenya Sevens star Ben Olando.
“Okwemba did well under pressure last season and kept us in the Kenya Cup. He’s now targeting the playoffs,” Wechesi said. “Olando brings valuable experience and has worked with us before. We believe this combination will deliver results.”
The club has also intensified efforts to scout fresh talent from regional rugby powerhouses such as Otieno Oyoo Secondary in Nyando, St. Mary’s Yala, and Agoro Sare. While no new player signings have been confirmed, Wechesi revealed that two new team managers will soon be unveiled.
With 70 registered members, Kisumu RFC has now set an ambitious target to grow its membership to 2,000 within 200 days, signaling a renewed drive toward building a vibrant, community-rooted rugby ecosystem.
The fresh injection of sponsorship and strategic planning positions Kisumu RFC as a formidable contender in the 2025/2026 Kenya Cup season, as the lakeside city dreams of national rugby glory.
