Pathway. Performance. Legacy: Kenya Rugby’s New XVs Vision

On Wednesday the 30th of September, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) held a 15s Stakeholders breakfast, with an aim of the fifteens performance strategy, which outlined a proposed eight-year strategy for 2027-2035 aimed at improving the performance of the Kenya 15s program (Simbas, Lionesses, Chipu, U16 & U18), through a shift from participation growth to player quality, readiness and sustained international competitiveness.

The strategy, themed “From Reach to Readiness,” is structured around three phases: Build (2027-2028), Compete (2029-2031) and Sustain (2032-2035).

Key priorities included:

  • Player and coach development: Establishing structured skills curricula, regular player assessments, coaching workshops and mentorship programmes.
  • International exposure: Building towards six to ten annual international matches for the Simbas and approximately eight meaningful match opportunities for the U20 team.
  • Stronger domestic competition: Developing the Super Series as an elite competition linking the Kenya Cup to Kenya A and the Simbas.
  • Women's XVs development: Increasing domestic fixtures and strengthening the pathway into the Kenya Lionesses.
  • National performance camps: Introducing regular camps during the Kenya Cup season to monitor and develop emerging national-team players.
  • Strategic partnerships: Establishing the proposed Kenya 15s Partnership Circle to bring together corporate partners, rugby legends, former leaders and other stakeholders to support long-term development.
  • Financial sustainability: Exploring diversified revenue streams through ticketing, hospitality, merchandising, broadcasting and commercial partnerships.

The first year of implementation will focus on establishing the player development framework, pursuing international fixtures, strengthening coaching capacity, planning the Super Series and expanding age-grade and women's competition opportunities.

The proposed roadmap aims to build a connected, sustainable performance system that develops players from schools and clubs through age-grade rugby and domestic competition into the national teams, supporting consistent improvement across two World Cup cycles.

From Reach to Readiness. Develop the Player. Develop the Coach. Compete. Perform. Sustain.