Kenya started its Dubai Sevens campaign on a losing note, going down 14-7 to United States on Friday morning.
Shujaa had come back from a converted try down in the second half, but the Americans had the last laugh in the closely contested try.
Steve Tomasin gave the Americans the lead when he crossed over and went on to slice the posts for a 7-0 lead. They kept this lead to the half time break.
Right at the re-start in the second half, Shujaa got back into the game when Herman Humwa crossed over. Kenya won the ball from the kick off with Daniel Taabu picking up and racing down the field. He was tackled by Perry Baker with the try line in sight, but Shujaa won a set piece.
Humwa took it quick and cited space to cross over, with Taabu adding the conversion for a 7-7 tie.
However, Shujaa were caught out when Logan Tago dotted their second try of the game with a powered run on the right with Tomasin chalking his second conversion. USA went 14-7 up and held on to the score till full time.
The Kenyan lads will look to put their Main Cup ambitions upbeat when they play Argentina in their second match on Friday afternoon.