Kisumu RFC retains Okwemba, eyes Kenya Cup playoffs

Speaking to Citizen Digital during the official sponsorship unveiling on Tuesday, newly elected honorary secretary Robert Wachesi confirmed the decision to keep Okwemba at the helm after the club had earlier declared the coaching position vacant after the new office assumed control.

“For head coach, we are retaining Howard Okwemba,” said Wachesi. “He came first in the very competitive interviews conducted by consultants we invited. He is a quality tactician who managed to keep us in the Kenya Cup, and he has promised to push for playoffs in the coming 15s season.”

Okwemba will continue to work alongside Fabian Orlando, who retains his role as assistant coach.

The announcement comes as Kisumu RFC looks to build momentum both on and off the pitch. The club yesterday unveiled a Ksh 2 million sponsorship deal with Homeland Itoya Events as their official partner for the 2025/26 season, a move that has been hailed as a turning point for the lakeside outfit.

“We are excited about this partnership,” club chairman Dr. Gabriel Ouma said. “It’s a huge step forward in supporting our operations, logistics, and player welfare.”

Dr. Ouma also addressed the squad's composition and plans for the new season. “Part of our plan is to beef up the squad. We’re lucky that most, if not all, of our players will be retained, considering we had a very solid team last season.

This is the first time we are in the Kenya Cup for a second season. We have won the confidence of our players, and with the new technical team in place, we will review the squad and see where we can bolster.”

The club is also set to participate in the upcoming Bungoma 7s tournament, using it as a platform to assess player progress and test combinations ahead of the upcoming national seven circuit season, which kicks off on July 22nd. Additionally, Kisumu RFC is expected to unveil a new team manager and assistant manager later in the week as the club continues to streamline its backroom operations.

The positive developments signal Kisumu RFC’s intent to grow into a consistent force in Kenya’s top-flight rugby and reward the support of its fans and stakeholders.