Kenya Shujaa Fans Chant ‘Ruto Must Go’ During Los Angeles 7s in USA
- Kenyans in Los Angeles chanted anti-William Ruto slogans as they cheered the national rugby sides in the HSBC series
- Both Kenya Shujaa and Lionesses secured their spots in the new-look Division 2 of the revamped World Rugby format
- The new format was a huge disappointment for Shujaa, who went to Los Angeles thinking they were fighting for core status
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Kenyans in Los Angeles turned up in huge numbers to support the national rugby sevens team, Kenya Shujaa.
Source: UGC
Shujaa were in action for the last leg of the 2025/2026 HSBC Series at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles.
Both the men's and women's teams were heartbroken after World Rugby changed the format of the series just a few hours before the games in Los Angeles.
Shujaa coach slams World Rugby format change
Earlier, Kenya knew it was fighting for a chance to maintain its status as a core team. Despite reaching the final in Singapore a few weeks back, Shujaa had finished in ninth place in the regular season, requiring a playoff.
Lionesses, meanwhile, had triumphed in the Challenger series and also needed to participate in the playoffs for a chance of promotion.
"Having had a tough season, our priority in Los Angeles was to fight our way back into the World Series. But we are gutted by the decision from World Rugby to change the format at the last minute. It’s a setback to the development of the game," said Shujaa head coach Kevin Wambua.
"Kenya Rugby Union will now have to find alternative tournaments to maintain and improve our standards ahead of the World Championships. By the time we get there, we want to be on par with the Division One teams"
Anti-Ruto slogans rent Kenya Shujaa games
The fans who showed up to support Kenyan teams at the stadium were heard chanting 'Ruto Must Go'. The state of the nation came into play with the fans shouting the political slogan.
The chants have become synonymous in recent times in public places as Kenyans agitate for better governance.
How Kenya Shujaa performed in Los Angeles
Shujaa put the setback of the rules changing aside and powered through to qualify for Division 2 in the new format.
Kevin Wambua's side overwhelmingly beat Canada 24-5 in the final. This was revenge best served cold, as it was Canada who relegated them in 2024. Omondi Mboya, Kevin Wekesa and Nygell Amaitsa touched down for Shujaa.
Shujaa will now join the United States and Uruguay in Division 2. Germany clinched the last spot by thrashing Samoa 31-0.
Source: Twitter
The Lionesses, meanwhile, bounced back to beat South Africa 17-14 in the playoff final and secure their place in Division 2 as well. Lionesses had lost to Spain and Brazil in the group stages but beat Colombia to secure a chance against South Africa.
It is not the first time Kenyan fans have chanted anti-Ruto slogans at a rugby match. During the Perth leg in Australia last year, the same script was in play as they cheered the team on.
Shujaa only managed to get three points in Perth, which eventually culminated in a ninth-place finish after all six legs.
President Ruto hit with shoe in Migori
The chants in Los Angeles came in the same weekend when President Ruto was hit with a flying shoe during a roadside rally in Kehancha, Migori.
The president was caught unawares as the shoe narrowly missed his face, and his security detail quickly jumped in.
Three people have since been arrested as investigations continue.
Overall results of Los Angeles 7s
South Africa's men's team won a fifth title after beating Spain 19-5 in the final.
"The team never stopped believing. They played five phenomenal games and were unstoppable. This team can go places. I am very proud of them," said South Africa Head Coach Philip Snyman as quoted by World Rugby.
The women's title as the reigning Olympic champions New Zealand beat Australia 31-7.
"Man, that feels good. After the Olympic gold medal, we wanted to show we are a great team, and to us, that was winning the League and winning the [World Championship] Series, and we did it," said their captain, Sarah Hirini.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
