Kenyan hopes of scooping their first ever Rugby Sevens World Cup trophy were shattered on Sunday when they lost 12-5 to England in the semi-finals and they ended up finishing fourth overall.
Kenya had qualified for the quarter-finals after a 100 per cent record in the group stages, winning all their matches with huge margins against the Philippines, Zimbabwe and Samoa.
The Kenyans then beat France in the semi-final by beating France 24-19.
After their loss to England in the semi-finals and a third-fourth playoff against Fiji, which they lost, Kenyans took to Twitter to show their support.
On Saturday the IRB Sevens Twitter account posted a screenshot showing how #Kenya7s was trending number on in the world.
#Kenya7s is trending worldwide number 1! #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/AzKndlXb8T
— IRB Sevens (@IRBSevens) June 29, 2013
President Uhuru Kenyatta tweeted regularly during the tournament.
Well in #Kenya7s. You have done Kenya Proud #RWC7s
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) June 30, 2013
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also got in on the action.
Yet again, our Shujaa boys prove nothing is greater than Kenyan strength of will...Proud of you @kenya_7s
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) June 30, 2013
While controvasial blogger Robert Alai added:
@UKenyatta did well to psyche up the #Kenya7s team during State House visit. That was GREAT Mr President
— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) June 15, 2013
President Kenyatta had hosted the team before they left for the World Cup and had promised a personal contribution to each player of KSh75,000 (US$875) if they make it to the finals.