KCB, Shujaa Stars on Why Kenyan Rugby is In ‘Safe Hands Again’ Ahead of 2025 Safari 7

KCB stars Bob Muhati and Vincent Onyala have explained why the sevens game has become easier to play ahead of the 27th edition of the Safari 7s.

Seasoned KCB rugby stars Vincent Onyala and Bob Muhati have explained why the sevens game has become much easier to play ahead of the 2025 Safari 7s tournament set to take place at the Nyayo National Stadium this weekend.

Onyala has accrued experience playing the game both locally and internationally, and is set to be part of the Shujaa squad for the tournament, which traditionally serves as a curtain raiser for the national side’s HSBC 7s campaign.

Muhati plays more regularly for the 15s side, but will be expected to feature prominently for KCB this weekend, with the Bankers set to participate in the tournament, which has attracted up to 20 teams.

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Speaking on NTV’s Sport On, the duo explained that the game has become easier and safer to play due to a number of factors, including regulations, as well as the reducing number of hench players being produced nowadays.

Onyala: “Rugby Has Become Faster, Safer, and More Tactical”

Onyala, a key member of the Shujaa national team and one of KCB’s most influential players, reflected on how the sport has evolved both locally and internationally.

“Speed has increased and things are happening at a faster rate,” Onyala said. “It’s good that I’ve witnessed a bit of the old-school rugby and now I’m seeing the modern version.”

He added that modern rugby’s emphasis on safety has made it more appealing and sustainable for players.

“Previously, rugby was a dangerous game, but with the modern formalities, rugby players are being protected,” he explained. “Now you can see it has become more of a squad game — not just about brute strength but also strategy and rotation.”

Muhati: “The New Generation Is Built Differently”

While Onyala continues to shine in the sevens format, Bob Muhati, a regular for KCB’s 15s side, shared insights into how the player profile in Kenyan rugby has changed drastically in recent years.

“The main thing that has changed is the players coming out of high school,” Muhati said. “When I was transitioning from Mount Kenya University to Homeboyz before joining KCB, I remember facing teams like Mwamba and Kabras that had massive forwards — guys like Andrew Amonde, Dennis Chenge, and Arthur Owira.”

“At the time, I was the heaviest in my team at around 89 or 90 kilograms,” he continued. “Now, that has considerably changed. Across most teams, all players are built like wingers — smaller, faster, and more agile.”

Muhati attributed this transformation to improved conditioning programs and changing genetic trends in the sport.

“Conditioning has changed, but it’s also transitioning genetically. In high school now, players are smaller compared to our day — but they’re quicker and sharper. Rugby today demands speed and endurance as much as strength.”

Both Onyala and Muhati agree that the combination of improved training, safety standards, and a new generation of technically gifted players has set Kenyan rugby on a solid path forward.

“With the kind of systems being put in place and how players are adapting to modern rugby, we are in safe hands again,” Onyala said confidently.

As Kenya prepares to host the Safari 7s this weekend, optimism is high — not just for the tournament, but for the broader future of the game in the country.