KENYA LIONESSES SET FOR REVIVAL

A few weeks after Kenya's Lionesses' huge defeat against South Africa in the Africa Women's Sevens final, which ended 22-0 at RFUEA grounds, the team has not only results but also the growth of Women’s Rugby in Kenya as the main topic of discussions.
The margins showed that the loss was Kenya's seventh times to finish as runner-up since their first title in 2018, which proved the team's consistency at the continental level and the continuous threat of breakthrough to the Springboks and other dominant teams. But still, the story of progress lies behind the score.
Corporate support, especially from Safaricom through its M-PESA brand, has not only brought chaos and instability into women’s rugby but also brought structure and stability.

The announcement of the KSh100 million sponsorship in late 2024 has gone to support player allowances, medical coverage, and mentorship programs that provide athletes with a secure and supportive environment that was previously unavailable.
The initiative also, though indirectly, targets financial literacy, personal wellness, and professional growth which are all attitudinal traits the players prepare for life both on and off the field.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, Esther Waitito, Safaricom's Chief Financial Services Officer said, "Safaricom support for women in rugby is not confined to one tournament only. Their long-term opportunities creation henceforth, in which these sports women can flourish, still in a male-dominated area."
"We aim at providing them with the mentorship, infrastructure, and resources for their development on a personal and professional level." she expressed.
"In addition, we are committed to deepening long-term collaboration with the Kenya Rugby Union to elevate the sport across all levels." she summed up.

Kenya is contemplating the Africa Sevens and thus it is not results that matter most but how far the tournament path can help the teams. The Lionesses, backed consistently, experienced, and with better facilities, are indeed ruling the African championship to enlighten thereby a new generation of female sports fans to come. There cannot be a better time for the Lionesses since Nairobi has already been chosen to be the venue for the Division Two tournament of the HSBC Sevens Series in February 2026.
The event that is coming the offering is a chance to take local support and show Kenya's rugby talent as well as build the women's national team for future African challenges.