Western Bulls RFC is staring at a tough start to the 2025/26 KRU Championship season after financial struggles crippled their pre-season preparations. With barely a month before the campaign kicks off, the Kakamega-based club is yet to resume training, a worrying sign for one of Western Kenya’s most established rugby sides.
Team Manager Mike Ligono confirmed that the club has completely run out of funds, making it impossible to conduct any training sessions.
“We are in a very difficult situation. The club has completely run out of funds, and we cannot afford to conduct any training sessions,” Ligono told Two5Four Rugby.
The club’s participation in this year’s Dala, Kabeberi, and Embu 7s tournaments was made possible through the generosity of well-wishers who stepped in to finance the trips. Since then, however, the team has not regrouped for any form of training.
Reliable sources further indicate that the club’s chairman and vice chairman have both stepped down, forcing Bulls to plan for elections to fill the leadership vacuum. The absence of a functional management team has compounded the crisis, leaving the players and technical bench in uncertainty.
To make matters worse, Bulls have reportedly lost several key players during the recent KRU transfer window, further weakening the squad ahead of the new season.
Ligono has now issued an emotional appeal to the rugby community and well-wishers to rally behind the club before it’s too late.
“We are appealing to well-wishers and anyone who loves the game to come through and support Western Bulls. This club has nurtured so much talent over the years, and it would be painful to see it fade away because of financial challenges,” he said.
Once a formidable side in Kenya’s top-flight league, Western Bulls now faces an uncertain future both on and off the field. Unless urgent intervention comes through, the iconic Kakamega outfit risks missing out on the upcoming KRU Championship season altogether.
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