Kisii National Poly team after a training session at the institution/ANGWENYI GICHANA

Kisii National Polytechnic head coach Marcella Mecha is confident her side can rise to the challenge and secure promotion to the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship after sealing a quarter-final slot in the KRU Nationwide campaign.

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Mecha’s charges edged Meru University 17–10 in a tightly contested clash, setting up a last-eight meeting against Kabarak University on Saturday. “Kabarak is an experienced side with Championship experience, but we are not afraid of them. We shall bring them down and qualify for the semi-finals,” Mecha said.

She acknowledged areas that need improvement ahead of the decisive fixture, particularly ball distribution and also confirmed a setback after losing a key winger to injury during the Meru match. Kabarak head coach Leo Ng’etich is equally cautious despite his side progressing with a narrow 26–24 win over Stallions Rugby at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

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“We were lucky. We made a lot of mistakes, and the Stallions failed to punish us,” Ng’etich admitted, while noting the need to sharpen line-outs, scrums, and overall coordination. Kabarak will, however, be without several players. Emmanuel Waswa (hamstring), Reuben Obiero (ribs), and Carlmax Otieno (ankle) are sidelined through injury, while Mutua Methu is suspended following a red card.

Elsewhere, Kenya Prisons will host Makueni RFC at the Kenya Prisons Training College in Ruiru, while Administration Police Warriors face Kilifi Titans in other quarter-final fixtures. The stakes remain high, with finalists earning promotion to the KRU Championship to replace USIU Martials and Western Bulls, who were relegated to the third tier.

Pre-quarter-final results: Kenya Prisons 18, Maseno University 17; EldoPoly Community 34, KCA University 20; Stallions Rugby 24, Kabarak University 26; Kisii Polytechnic 17, Meru University 10; AP Warriors 55, Chuka University 12; Sigalagala Polytechnic 33, TUM Marines 3; Embu RFC 20, Makueni 35; Kilifi Titans 28, Egerton University 0(walkover).