Kenya awarded IRL full membership

International Rugby League full members have voted to admit Kenya as the federation's newest full member, continuing the impressive growth rugby league is experiencing in Africa.

Kenya Rugby League Federation was admitted as an observer in 2022 and became an affiliate member in 2023 following the creation of its club championships in men's, women's and youth categories. Since then it has continued to add member clubs and county rugby league organisations in pursuit of its ambitious strategy.

KRLF Chair Eric Murungi, who had been involved in previous efforts to establish rugby league in the east African country, described Kenya's journey to full membership as a "defining moment" after what has been "nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, with its fair share of highs, lows, existential crises and memorable moments".

Murungi paid tribute to the late Benjamin Ayimba and Richard Adhere, with whom he had casual conversations about reviving Kenya’s rugby league dream that were shared in emails with former NRL player and Jamaica coach Dane Campbell, who is now the head of recruitment for Perth Bears.

Adhere hosted the first match officials’ workshop held in his living room, which was conducted by NZRL referee Simon Taylor, who was in transit to Cameroon on personal business.

Among those who took part was KRLF Director of Rugby and Ecosystems Development John Mbai, who was in attendance at Saturday's IRL AGM in Sydney, which agreed unanamiously to Kenya becoming a full member. 

"Arriving at this seminal juncture in our history has taken the sacrifice and full-fledged indulgence of many to whom collectively we are eternally grateful and we promise that we will not have wasted their blood, sweat and tears as we carry their vision to the highest levels that they ever conceived and believed that Kenya Rugby League would arrive and thrive at."

Kenya's first Grand Final was staged in 2023 and 11 men's teams, four U17s teams and four women's teams participated in 13-a-side Kenyan club championships. The goal is to grow into, initially, a men's premiership contested by eight county rep teams, with each county administering its own club competition.

The local rugby league scene has not only spread, but it has also deepened too, with nine clubs and six county rugby leagues now all registered with the sports ministry, with more under application.

Furthermore, Kenyan technical leaders have continued to professionalise and are now being deployed regionally to lead game growth in countries like Uganda. A Kenyan, Brian Odiwuory, became the first Match Official Tutor in the MEA region this year, able to qualify other Level 1 Educators.

IRL Chair Troy Grant said, "On behalf of the Board I would like to sincerely congratulate everyone involved in KRLF's wonderful growth. Even before they became an IRL member a few years ago, they showed just how committed they are by overcoming various local regulatory difficulties over several years to even get their organisation off the ground. They stayed true to their mission and through phenomenal planning and leadership have become a state-recognised federation with huge potential. IRL will continue to support KRLF as it embarks on the next chapter of their development".

Internationally, Kenya has hosted France men, toured South Africa and hosted the women's MEA Rugby League World Cup qualification event in 2024.

KRLF is the 15th full member. Multiple additional full member applications are under review.