Kenya’s national rugby team, the Simbas, has named a 50-man provisional squad as part of its preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, set to be hosted in Kampala, Uganda from July 6 to 20, 2025.
Head coach Jerome Paarwater and his technical team will oversee a residential training camp in Kakamega from May 11 to 18. The camp will serve as the first phase of the Simbas’ build-up to the qualifiers, with the squad set to be trimmed to 33 players after the camp.
The selected 33 will reconvene on May 26 for a brief pre-departure camp before heading to South Africa on May 28 for a high-performance tour. The South African leg will include matches and training sessions with Currie Cup sides and club teams in Cape Town and Nylstroom, in partnership with Western Province and the Blue Bulls.
The Simbas are scheduled to return to Kenya on June 27 and will hold a final pre-departure camp on July 1 and 2 before traveling to Uganda on July 3. The qualifiers in Kampala will serve as a crucial step in Kenya’s bid to secure a place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Coach Paarwater noted the impact of injuries on squad selection, stating, “There are some major changes in the squad which have been brought about by injuries.” He also acknowledged the support of local club coaches in the selection process and confirmed the inclusion of foreign-based players in the training programme.
Full Provisional Squad
Loosehead Props
1. Melvin Thairu – Gura Humorului Rugby Club
2. Edward Mwaura – Kabras Sugar RFC
3. Ian Njenga – Gura Humorului Rugby Club
Hookers
4. Eugene Sifuna – Kabras Sugar RFC
5. Celestine Mboi – Menengai Oilers
6. Teddy Akala – Kabras Sugar RFC
7. Griffin Musila – KCB
Tighthead Props
8. Wilhite Mususi – KCB
9. Vincent Mwikali – Menengai Oilers
10. Ephraim Oduor – Kabras Sugar
11. Desterious Ifedha – Menengai Oilers
Locks
12. Hibrahim Ayoo – Menengai Oilers
13. Brian Juma – Kabras
14. Andycole Omollo – KCB
15. Hillary Odhiambo – Kabras
16. Thomas Okeyo – NovaVit Griffons
17. Emmanuel Silungi – KCB
Blindside Flankers
18. George Nyambua – Kabras RFC
19. Patrick Sabatia – Kabras RFC
20. David Bunduki – NovaVit Griffons
21. Kevin Wekesa – Kabras RFC
Openside Flankers
22. Elvis Olukusi – KCB
23. Charles Omondi – Nondies
24. Elkeans Musonye – Menengai Oilers
25. William Mwanji – Kabras
Number 8s
26. Bethuel Anami – MLSGP 78
27. Sheldon Kahi – Kenya Harlequin
28. Obat Kuke – Blak Blad
Scrum-halves
29. Brian Tanga – Kabras
30. Samson Onsomu – Menengai Cream Oilers
31. Samuel Asati – KCB RFC
Fly-halves
32. Brian Wahinya – KCB
33. Barry Young – Kabras Sugar
34. Jone Kubu – Kabras Sugar
Left Wings
35. Beldad Ogeta – Menengai Cream Oilers
36. Festus Shiasi – KCB
37. Griffin Chao – Kabras Sugar
Inside Centres
38. Walter Okoth – Kabras Sugar
39. Samuel Ovwamu – Menengai Oilers
40. John Okoth – Menengai Oilers
41. Paul Mutsami – Kenya Harlequin
Outside Centres
42. Vincent Onyala – KCB
43. Bryceson Adaka – Kabras Sugar
44. Tyson Maina – KCB
45. Charles Odhiambo – Nondies
Right Wings
46. Austine Sikutwa – KCB
47. Timothy Omela – Menengai Oilers
48. Alfred Orege – Kabras Sugar
Fullbacks
49. Isaac Njoroge – KCB
50. Eric Cantona – Kabras Sugar
