NAIROBI, Kenya, January 9, 2026 — Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chair Harriet Okach has reaffirmed her belief in the growth and potential of women’s rugby in Kenya following the award of a Ksh 6.5 million Olympic Solidarity scholarship to the national sevens teams.
Speaking after the funding boost, Okach described the scholarship as a major milestone, particularly for a sport she acknowledged as one of the most expensive to sustain. She noted that the support comes at a critical time for the women’s game, which continues to fight for equal opportunity and recognition on the global stage.
“Rugby is a really, really expensive sport, and this means a great deal to us. But more importantly, I’ve always believed in these women from the very beginning. They’ve put in the grind, gone through every emotion you can think of, and earned their place,” Okach said.
Okach was emphatic that the Kenya Lionesses are not seeking special treatment based on gender but rather fair access to resources that allow them to compete at the highest level. She stressed that the union’s priority is to equip women with the same tools available to the men, enabling them to pursue Olympic qualification on merit.
“These are women who believe they deserve to be here. They’re not asking for favours because they are women. They’ve been given the tools, and we try to make sure they receive what the men receive so they can get to the Olympics early in 2028 and beyond,” she said.
The KRU chair praised the Lionesses for their resilience, teamwork and spiritual grounding, qualities she believes have been central to their rise despite historical challenges facing women’s rugby in the country. With the IOC-backed funding now in place, Okach expressed confidence that the women’s team has the platform needed to take the next step in their international journey.
Beyond performance, Okach also highlighted the significance of Kenya hosting major rugby events like the HSBC, urging fans to turn out in large numbers to support both Shujaa and the Kenya Lionesses. She said hosting global competitions offers Kenya a chance to showcase its rugby culture on home soil, transforming local support into a powerful force.
“This time, Kenya hosting means the world gets to see not just a corner, but a full stadium of Kenyan support. Nairobi Sevens is a big deal, and we need Kenyans to show up and stand with Shujaa and the Lionesses,” she said.
As Kenya continues to push for sustained success in rugby sevens, Okach’s message was clear: women’s rugby belongs at the top table, and with belief, investment and equal opportunity, the Lionesses can roar their way to the Olympic stage.
