Kenya Cup side Kisumu RFC has set their sight on a midtable finish come the 2023 -2024 season that kicks off in November.

Head coach Lawi Buyachi believes his side have what it takes to challenge the big boys in the top tier of Kenyan rugby.

“We have started our pre-season with the forwards and for the next two and half months, we will work to ensure they can match the teams we are going to face in the league," said Buyachi.

"A good number of our backs are playing in the Sevens circuit which means they are fit. The most important thing for this team is to avoid relegation.”

Buyachi, a two-time Kenya Cup champion with Nakuru — in 2013 and 2014 — said the club will play build-up matches in October to test their preparedness as well as strategies for the upcoming season.

“It's highly likely we will play Kabras, MMUST or Menengai Oilers in the course of the pre-season just to see where we are and what we need to in order to be competitive when the Kenya Cup season starts,” said Buyachi.

The Lakeside club played in the championship for three seasons culminating in a 19-7 win over Daystar in the KRU Championship semifinal before losing 24-6 to Nondies in the final.

“It's been a tough three-year journey. We finished ninth in the previous season and our target was to get to the playoffs the following season, which we did. Finishing in the top two was a dream come true despite losing the final to Nondies," said Buyachi. 

The former South Coast Pirates and Kabras coach said for the club to survive, they will need depth and are therefore targeting some quality additions.

The 12-team league will feature champions Kabras, runners-up KCB, losing semifinalists Menengai Oilers, Quins, Mwamba, Blak Blad, Strathmore Leos, Homeboyz, Catholic Monks, Nondies, Nakuru and Kisumu.

The top four teams at the end of the regular season qualify for the playoffs with the bottom two dropping to the Championship.