Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its Tusker brand, is set to formally announce its sponsorship of the 28th edition of the Safari Sevens on Thursday, October 1 as preparations continue for the tournament in Nairobi.
Tusker will partner with the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) as the Official Alcohol Beverage and Entertainment Partner for this year's Safari Sevens, which will be held from October 9 to 11 at Nyayo National Stadium.
The sponsorship announcement will take place at Tusker Brewhouse at the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) facility in Nairobi and will bring together KBL and KRU officials, as well as representatives of the Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses.
KBL Managing Director Andrew Kilonzo, Marketing and Innovation Director Mark Mugisha, KRU Chairlady Harriet Okach and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Odundo are expected to address the event. The captains and players from the two national teams will also participate in the engagement.
The partnership comes as KRU prepares for an 18-team tournament featuring 12 men's and six women's teams from Kenya, Africa and beyond. The three-day competition will bring together national, invitational and franchise sides at Nyayo.
Hosts Kenya Shujaa will headline the men's competition as defending champions and are seeking a fifth consecutive Safari Sevens title. They will be joined by Kenya Morans, while the international field includes Uganda, Zimbabwe, Scotland 7s, French Renegades, Wonder7s, Shogun from the United Kingdom and Southern California Nomads from the United States.
The women's competition will feature defending champions Kenya Lionesses, Kenya Cubs and Shibli alongside Uganda Women 7s, Tunisia 7s and Costa Blanca Barbarians, the 2024 champions.
The sponsorship announcement comes as Shujaa prepare for the Africa Men's Sevens tournament in Mauritius, which runs from October 3 to 4. Head coach Kevin Wambua named a 12-man squad for the competition, with Patrick Sabatia, Glacious Owino, Dennis Livoi and Lucky Onyango in line to make their international debuts.
Kenya will face Namibia, Réunion and Madagascar in Pool B in Mauritius before returning home for Safari Sevens. KRU said the continental assignment will provide international competition as the team continues its preparations for the Nairobi tournament.
Tusker has a longstanding association with Kenyan rugby. In 2023, KBL announced a KSh15 million sponsorship covering the Safari Sevens and Victoria Cup, while the brand has also supported events on the National Sevens Circuit.
The sponsorship will be formally presented on Thursday, with KBL and KRU expected to outline the partnership as Kenya steps up preparations for the October 9–11 Safari Sevens at Nyayo National Stadium.