Kakamega ready to host Kenya rugby stars

Kakamega County is set to host the first leg of this year’s National Rugby Sevens circuit this weekend (20th & 21st) at ‘The Bull Ring’, formerly Lions Primary, next to Bishop Sulumeti girls secondary school in Shirere ward, Lurambi sub county.

This is the first time this tournament, dubbed Kakamega Sevens, will be staged in Kakamega county and Western region.

Speaking today during a brief ceremony (MoU) between the county government of Kakamega & the tournament organizers, CECM for Trade, Tourism & Industrialization Mr. Kassim Were said signing of the agreement between the two partners symbolises the commitment of the government to promote and brand Kakamega county through sports tourism.

“We are determined to market our county as a major tourist destination and for this reason we are partnering with the rugby fraternity and Churchill Live which will be held in October to give our people a different feel of entertainment away from what they are used to,” he said.

Some of the gazetted tourism sites in the county are Nabongo shrines, the crying stone of Ilesi, Misango Hills of Khwisero and the scenic Mawe Tatu in Likuyani sub county.

Mr. Were said most of the renown rugby players come from Kakamega county and thanked the Kenya Rugby Union for choosing Kakamega as the first venue of the sevens circuit. He conveyed the blessings of the Governor H.E. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya towards the event and called on all residents of Kakamega and other neighbouring counties to fill up the venue and support their respective teams.

Western Bulls and Kabras sugar rugby clubs are some of the local clubs participating in the tournament.

Kakamega Sevens Tournament Director Mr. Newton Ong’alo said the event will commence on Friday with the school’s category where local rugby giants in the category are expected to square it out. He encouraged young upcoming players to join the sport.

Also present was Chief Officer Mr. Phanuel Wemali, Western Bulls RC Chairman Mr. Eliud Siganga, County legal officer Vivian Mmbaka and the Head of Tourism Mr. Stephen Musee among others.

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