Kenya Under-20 national rugby team, Chipu/X
President William Ruto has congratulated the Kenya Under-20 national rugby team, Chipu, following their victory at the 2026 Rugby Africa U20 Barthés Trophy in Uganda.
Chipu were crowned champions after a commanding 33-14 win over Namibia in the final played in Kampala, securing a record fourth Barthés Trophy and reaffirming Kenya's dominance in African junior rugby.
In a message celebrating the team's achievement, Ruto praised the players for their impressive performance and the milestone they had achieved for the country.
"We celebrate the Kenya Under-20 national rugby team, Chipu, for bringing home the 2026 Rugby Africa U20 Barthés Trophy after a commanding 33-14 victory over Namibia in Kampala, Uganda," Ruto said.
The President said the triumph reflected the growing strength of Kenyan rugby and the potential of the country's young athletes.
"By securing a record fourth Barthés Trophy, the team has raised the bar for Kenyan rugby and shown what our young talent can achieve on the continental stage," he said.
Chipu's victory came after an impressive campaign in the revamped tournament, which featured a Performance Division comprising Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tunisia.
Kenya booked their place in the final after defeating Zimbabwe before overcoming Namibia to reclaim the continental title.
The team controlled the final from the opening stages, taking a 14-0 lead into the break before pulling away to seal a convincing victory.
The success earned Kenya a place at the World Rugby Junior Trophy, where the team will represent the country on the global stage.
Ruto assured the players of the government's backing as they begin preparations for the international competition.
"The focus now turns to the World Rugby Junior Trophy. We will stand with you and support you as you prepare to represent Kenya on the world stage," he said.
He concluded his congratulatory message with the words, "Hongera Chipu."
The title capped a remarkable campaign for the Kenya Under-20 side, which competed despite limited preparation compared with some of its rivals.
The team had only nine training sessions between July and August before travelling to Uganda, where they completed an unbeaten run to lift the continental trophy.
Their victory over Namibia marked another significant achievement for Kenyan rugby, with Chipu once again emerging as Africa's top Under-20 side and earning the chance to compete against the world's best at the World Rugby Junior Trophy.
