The Kenya women's national rugby union team, popularly known as Lionesses are the Kenya Women's XVs Rugby Team, managed by Kenya Rugby Union. The Lionesses play in red jerseys with black shorts. The side first played in 2006 on the sixth of September and has represented Kenya in various tournaments ever since. The Lionesses currently rank 23rd in the World Rugby Rankings[1] and second in Africa.
 | ||
| Nickname(s) | Lionesses | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | Kenya Rugby Union | |
| Head coach | Dennis Mwanja | |
| Captain | Enid Ouma | |
| ||
| World Rugby ranking | ||
| Current | 23 (as of 29 May 2023) | |
| First international | ||
 Kenya 0–24 Uganda  (Nairobi, Kenya; 13 May 2006) | ||
| Biggest win | ||
| Kenya 87–3 Uganda (Kisumu, Kenya; 11 November 2023) | ||
| Biggest defeat | ||
 South Africa 66–0 Kenya (Stellenbosch, South Africa; 12 August 2021) | ||
| World Cup | ||
| Appearances | 0 | |
History
Kenya were runners-up at the 2019 Rugby Africa Women's Cup which also doubled as a World Cup qualifying tournament.[2] Despite their loss, the Lionesses still advanced to a cross-regional repechage play-off against Colombia.[3] However, their last chances of qualifying were dashed with a narrow 15–16 loss to Colombia in Nairobi.[4]
Results summary
(Full internationals only, updated to 11 November 2023)
| Opponent | First game | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cameroon | 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
 Colombia | 2021 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50.00% |
 Kazakhstan | 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% |
 Madagascar | 2019 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50.00% |
| South Africa | 2019 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.00% |
 Spain | 2023 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% |
| Uganda | 2006 | 25 | 15 | 2 | 8 | 60.00% |
 Zambia | 2022 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% |
| Summary | 2006 | 40 | 20 | 2 | 18 | 50.00% |
Players
Kenya announced their final squad on 3 October 2023 for the inaugural WXV 3 tournament that will be held in Dubai.[5][6]
Note: The age and number of caps listed for each player is as of 11 November 2023.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knight Otwoma | Hooker | {{{age}}} | 17 | Impala Roans |
| Staycy Atieno | Hooker | 11 November 1994 (aged 28) | 14 | Mwamba |
| Naomi Muhanji | Hooker | {{{age}}} | 5 | |
| Rose Otieno | Prop | {{{age}}} | 13 | Northern Suburbs |
| Evelyn Kalamera | Prop | {{{age}}} | 19 | Mwamba |
| Mercy Migongo | Prop | {{{age}}} | 9 | Impala Roans |
| Natasha Emali | Prop | {{{age}}} | 10 | Mwamba |
| Valentine Otieno | Prop | {{{age}}} | 3 | Northern Suburbs |
| Maureen Chebet | Lock | {{{age}}} | 3 | Mwamba |
| Faith Livoi | Lock | {{{age}}} | 4 | Mwamba |
| Naomi Jelagat | Lock | {{{age}}} | 9 | Mwamba |
| Helsa Khisa | Lock | {{{age}}} | 6 | Impala Roans |
| Enid Ouma (c) | Flanker | {{{age}}} | 12 | |
| Diana Kemunto | Flanker | 4 April 1998 (aged 25) | 13 | Impala Roans |
| Michelle Akinyi | Flanker | {{{age}}} | 16 | Impala Roans |
| Phoebe Akinyi | Number 8 | {{{age}}} | 8 | Northern Suburbs |
| Judith Okumu | Scrum-half | 12 July 1998 (aged 25) | 12 | Impala Roans |
| Winnie Owino | Scrum-half | {{{age}}} | 11 | Impala Roans |
| Edith Naliaka | Scrum-half | {{{age}}} | 3 | Mwamba |
| Ann Goretti | Fly-half | {{{age}}} | 14 | Impala Roans |
| Grace Okulu | Fly-half | 16 March 1998 (aged 25) | 14 | Nakuru |
| Priscah Nyerere | Centre | {{{age}}} | 8 | Impala Roans |
| Laureen Akoth | Centre | {{{age}}} | 8 | Nakuru |
| Angel Charity Juma | Centre | {{{age}}} | 5 | Impala Roans |
| Sharon Auma | Wing | {{{age}}} | 3 | Impala Roans |
| Terry Ayesa | Wing | {{{age}}} | 9 | Mwamba |
| Lewin Amazimbi | Wing | {{{age}}} | 2 | Northern Suburbs |
| Jiveti Daisy Osore | Wing | {{{age}}} | Northern Suburbs | |
| Diana Omosso | Fullback | {{{age}}} | 7 | Mwamba |
| Freshia Awino | Fullback | {{{age}}} | 3 | Nakuru |