Blak Blad inspired to go for the throat at Kabeberi Sevens

Kenyatta University Blak Blad RFC are hoping a new Ksh1 million partnership with Madison Life Assurance can provide the stability they need to hoist their first ever National Sevens Circuit title.

The partnership comes ahead of the 37th edition of Kabeberi Sevens, which will be held at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi on August 15 and 16. Kabeberi is the third leg of the 2026 National Sevens Circuit.

Blak Blad finished sixth at the opening Prinsloo Sevens before placing ninth at the Dala Sevens, leaving them searching for a stronger showing at Kabeberi.

“This is a partnership that we are very excited about. The young boys have done very well in rugby and we saw an opportunity to partner with them and ensure they have good equipment, medical equipment, and medical insurance,” said Madison Life Assurance Managing Director Githua Ngaruiya.

The partnership is also intended to become a long-term arrangement, with Ngaruiya saying the company is finalising the legal paperwork while providing immediate support for the current season.

“At Madison, our logo is ‘Life without worry,’ so we want the boys to play without worry,” he said.

For Blak Blad, the backing addresses a challenge that has affected the club's ability to compete consistently and retain players.

Captain Obat Kuke said operating without corporate support has been difficult given the demands of Kenyan rugby, making the new partnership a significant boost to the team.

“It's quite hard or challenging for a team to work without some corporate sponsorship and I'm grateful that with this, I know we'll achieve more,” Kuke said.

The university side's best National Sevens Circuit result remains a third-place finish at the 2024 Driftwood Sevens in Mombasa. Kuke says the team now wants to go a step further by winning at least one circuit leg this season.

“This season we set out a goal to win at least one of the legs. The best we've achieved was in 2024 when we came out number three in Driftwood Sevens.”

Kabeberi is their immediate opportunity, with Blak Blad drawn in Pool C alongside Menengai Oilers, Zetech Oaks and Mombasa RFC.

Kuke believes the team has used the break between the Dala and Kabeberi legs to address its weaknesses and prepare for the challenge.

“With the work that we've put in during the break, this sponsorship coming in time, I know that now Kabeberi is the leg that we are going for,” he said.

Beyond Kabeberi, the partnership could also help Blak Blad strengthen their squad. Kuke said the club plans to look for new players during the university's September intake, with player retention and recruitment among the areas they hope to improve.

For Madison, the investment is not limited to what happens on the rugby field. Ngaruiya urged the players to begin planning for their financial futures early while also calling on other Kenyan corporates to support local athletes.

With the new backing now providing equipment, medical cover and welfare support, Blak Blad will head into Kabeberi with an opportunity to turn greater off-field stability into progress on the Sevens circuit.