Rugby in Kenya

• Breaking News : KRFU Selectors Resign

  Posted: November 29, 2010, 1:31 am by The Real KRFU

  Barely had the dust settled on the KRFU Gala Awards that were held last Friday, a bombshell rocked the KRFU from within its technical set-up. The on-off sometimes used selectors commitee have tendered their resignation to the Board citing a number of reasons and issues. Well, Paul Odera, Thomas Odundo and Bill Githinji have resigned! Below is a letter they sent to the KRFU secretary Frank

• Kenya Cup - Week 8

  Posted: November 29, 2010, 3:14 pm by DataMiner

  Went as I expected. What I have realised is that the league is very much open and much as we anticipate it will be decided by the games between the top teams, my favorites the middle order will play their role come the 2nd leg matches. And that is what a league is about. At your best throughout, irrespective of who you play.Do have a good week and congratulations to all the winners at the

• Kenya 7's : Shujaa lose to Japan in Sri Lanka Plate semi

  Posted: November 29, 2010, 12:42 pm by Back2Besics

  Shujaa reached the Plate semis of the Sri Lanka 7's where they were felled by a more physical Japan who denied them much needed ball. The Japanese were tactical in their approach against Shujaa and their game plan paid off.Fiji Barbarians successfully defended the Carlton Sri Lanka 7s tournament title by defeating surprise finalists, Spain 36-7 in an exciting affair.In the main cup semifinal,

• Kenya Cup Results 27.11.10

  Posted: November 27, 2010, 12:53 am by Back2Besics

  Impala bounce back over KCBMwamba roll over NondiesQuins rally to beat NakuruImpala 20 KCB 11Mwamba 24 Nondies 8Quins 27 Nakuru 20

• KRU Gala Awards 2010 Function

  Posted: November 27, 2010, 2:02 am by Back2Besics

  Good event at the Regency. Good speech by the Minister, PS andCommissioner of Sports. Not so impressive by Chairman Omwela as all hedid was attack the Ministry of Rugby.Congratulations to all the winners Mangu, Quins, Namcos, Kinyany,Celestine, Kayange, Karuga, Kangaru, Strathmore, Ayumba, Sarah andJudy.

• KRU Gala Awards 2010 Function

  Posted: November 27, 2010, 2:02 am by Back2Besics

  Good event at the Regency. Good speech by the Minister, PS andCommissioner of Sports. Not so impressive by Chairman Omwela as all hedid was attack the Ministry of Rugby.Congratulations to all the winners Mangu, Quins, Namcos, Kinyany,Celestine, Kayange, Karuga, Kangaru, Strathmore, Ayumba, Sarah andJudy.

• Weekend Games

  Posted: November 26, 2010, 2:09 pm by DataMiner

  Kenya Cup Week 8 and jostling at the top is already taking place. Same at the bottom as people try to avoid the last position that may come with relegation. League leaders Nivea Harlequins travel to Nakuru, Impala host KCB and Nondies are away to Mwamba.The highlight match will be the clash at Impala Club with Impala stinging from last weekend's defeat to Harlequins and KCB anxious to leapfrog

• KRFU Gala Awards 2010

  Posted: November 26, 2010, 10:35 am by The Real KRFU

  The awards are on tonight at the Grand Regency Hotel. Its bumper timefor rugby players as another recognition event comes from the Unionitself hot on the heels of the very successful Elliptics Awards by theMinistry of Rugby. For the rugby players this is your time. MaxMuniafu and your committee time to see your selections.

• Weekly Ramble

  Posted: November 25, 2010, 1:33 pm by DataMiner

  The past few weeks have seen a flurry of activity. Team after team has left the country to participate in sevens tournaments in various parts of the world. Going back to the last few months, the so called "Shujaa" side has actually traveled quite extensively, with muted results in the events they have taken part in. The side has also been chopped and changed a lot and I wonder, what is going

• Mitch Ocholla and Sidney Ashioya lead Shujaa to Sri Lanka

  Posted: November 24, 2010, 6:36 pm by Back2Besics

  Sidney Ashioya will lead a relatively young Shujaa squad that will take part in the Sri Lanka Sevens in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Saturday 27th November 2010. The squad is handled by a newcomer to the 7's setup in Mitch Ocholla. Shujaa1. Sidney Ashioya (Quins)2. Edgar Abere (Mwamba)3. Seje Owuor (Impala)4. Kevin Umbuge (Impala)5. Lawi Buyachi (Impala)6. Eden Agero (Quins)7. Mike Wanjala (Strathmore)8

• Kenya Name Squad for Opening Legs of Circuit

  Posted: November 24, 2010, 3:49 pm by ruggerbug

  Coach Benjamin Ayimba has unveiled a relatively strong squad to start the challenge for this year's HSBC IRB Sevens Circuit. The team and technical bench have been much criticised over selection of players and this selection continues the trend with a non-squad member being named to travel! Key members absent also are Collins Injera and Lavin Asego. The team is as follows.Humphrey Kayange -

• Kenya Cup - Week 7

  Posted: November 22, 2010, 6:03 pm by DataMiner

  Not much really to be talked about. What was to be a contest didn't quite pan out, no idea why. The interesting one of the day was the 5-5 draw. As rare as draws are, sometimes it is the just conclusion to a drawn out contest. And Strathmore keep on struggling. As we approach the halfway point, an interesting shape to the league standings. Let's watch and see.

• Guest Post: A Tribute to Absalom "Bimbo" Mutere

  Posted: November 22, 2010, 1:01 pm by ruggerbug

  You Never Said GoodbyeMutere! You never said I'm leaving,You Never Said GoodbyeYou were gone before we knew it,And only God knew why. You told us you’re going to Lusaka.We expected you’d come back to class.But you diverted your way to heavenBefore you filled our minds A billion times we needed you,A billion times we cried.If our love alone could have saved you,You never would have died. Ndugu!

• Mwamba win Hima 10's in Uganda

  Posted: November 21, 2010, 10:38 pm by Back2Besics

  A star studded Mwamba side won the Hima 10's beating Kobs 36 - 7 inthe final. Mwamba finished the tournament unbeaten with a side thatincluded Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera, DennisOmbachi and George Mbaye.Mwamba went one step better after being beaten in the final last year.The victory was a fitting tribute to founding captain the late AbsalomBimbo Mutere.

• Kenya Rugby : Kenya fall in quarters at Dune 7's

  Posted: November 21, 2010, 6:33 pm by Back2Besics

  Vipers beat hosts Namibia 22-0 to win the inaugural Dune Sevens at the Jan Wilkens Rugby Stadium in Walvis Bay on Saturday.Logan Basson opened the scores for Vipers and Siyanda Sithole missed the conversion. Basson scored his second and completed a hattrick in the second half. Chris Dry scored one of the tries. Sithole managed one conversion.In the semi-final, Vipers beat Boland II 19-15 and

• Elliptics Gala November 2010

  Posted: November 21, 2010, 6:19 pm by Back2Besics

  Great night last night and the house was full. I look forward to next years. Expected absence from KRU top bosses but they were well represented by Machine old boy now Director Edward Rombo. Namcos too from IRB was in the house. At least he has more spine than the rest.Congrats to award winners Innocent Simiyu, Philadelphia Olando, Godwin Karuga, Edward Rombo, Kenya Harlequins, Felix Ayange,

• Kenya Cup Results 20.11.10

  Posted: November 21, 2010, 3:13 am by Back2Besics

  Quins completely roast ImpalaKCB fully bank StrathmoreMachine all square with NakuruQuins 33 Impala 13KCB 44 Strathmore Leos 13Mean Machine 5 Nakuru 5The return of Machine. Go Machine Go.

• Weekend Games

  Posted: November 19, 2010, 3:05 pm by DataMiner

  Back to three matches as some teams take a break. The headline match will pit reigning champions Quins against previous champions Impala in a long running grudge match. As I said in my ramble this week, this game seems to have more significance to the fans than the players or coaches themselves. Match will be at the RFUEA ground. Other matches will be Machine at home to Nakuru and Strathmore

• Its a free for all at KRFU

  Posted: November 19, 2010, 2:03 am by The Real KRFU

  This post has been sent by one who considers him/herself a 'Friend of Rugby' now based in the USA. The views and opinions which belong to the writer are thus shared on this forum. Corporate governance is defined as 'an internal system encompassing policies, processes and people, which serves the needs of shareholders and other stakeholders, by directing and controlling management activities with

• Weekly Ramble

  Posted: November 17, 2010, 12:25 pm by DataMiner

  Getting harder and harder to do by the day, thanks to the healthy exchanges taking place in the comments on some posts. Some issues I'd like to raise are being debated and thrashed out there and that is a good thing. Part of the reasons for creating this blog. What is disturbing is the seeming amount of hatred or disdain that some people have for others. From calling them derogatory names to

• Kenya 7's : Namibia Dune Sevens Bound

  Posted: November 17, 2010, 2:56 am by Back2Besics

  The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) received N$100 000 as financial support from the Namibia National Olympic Committee (NNOC) towards their hosting of the Dune Sevens Rugby Tournament which will be held at Jan Wilken Stadium in Walvis Bay from 18 to 20 November.The teams that will participate will include South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Boland A, Boland B, Western Cape A, Western Cape B, Namibia A,

• Odera Top Most Coach in Kenya

  Posted: November 16, 2010, 5:30 pm by Back2Besics

  Nondies defence coach Paul Odera has attained the highest coaching qualification with the International Rugby Board to become the first Kenyan and African outside South Africa to attain the level three certification.Apart from South Africa, Odera is the first African to have the certification and can now be considered to be one of the most learned coaches worthy to share ideas with international

• Homeboyz hold sevens tournament despite KRFU snub

  Posted: November 15, 2010, 11:31 pm by The Real KRFU

  Congratulations to Kibera Youth for winning the first One Night StandSevens Tournament hosted by Homeboyz RFC at Nyayo Stadium.Kibera mainly composed of Mwamba beat a very competitive Homboyz inthe final. Homeboyz are using the tournament as preparations for theirdebut at the Dubai Club Sevens. Kibera Youth went out with 80,000 inprize money.The more interesting fact is a good number of fans did

• Kenya Cup Results 13.11.10

  Posted: November 14, 2010, 4:20 am by Back2Besics

  Impala embarass Strathmore with huge scoreKCB dismiss Nondies haplesslyMwamba grind down stubborn NakuruQuins struggle in win against gritty MachineImpala 72 Strathmore Leos 0KCB 44 Nondies 8Mwamba 17 Nakuru 10Quins 20 Mean Machine 10

• Weekend Games

  Posted: November 12, 2010, 5:41 pm by DataMiner

  The sixth week of the Kenya Cup sees all the teams in action. Interesting results in the past week mean we're building up to a mini crescendo then wait for the major showdown next year.Impala host Strathmore, Quins are at home to Machine, Nakuru will travel to Railway Club to face Mwamba and KCB cross the CBD to play Nondies at Jamhuri Park.Getting harder and harder to call but here goes.

• Lucas Onyango signs new Oldham Roughyeds contract

  Posted: November 12, 2010, 11:01 am by Back2Besics

  Lucas Onyango has signed a new one-year deal with Oldham Roughyeds.The 29-year-old Kenyan-born winger has scored 62 tries in 87 games in his four seasons at Oldham since arriving at the club from Widnes in 2007.Coach Tony Benson told the club website: "He's sticking with us for less money than he could have got elsewhere. He's very loyal."I'm excited because I believe we will have two of the best

• The Passing of a Legend - RIP Absalom Mutere

  Posted: November 11, 2010, 11:08 am by ruggerbug

  One of the past greats of Kenya Rugby. Founder Captain and player of Mwamba RFC, Captain and player of Kenya National Rugby Team, Coach and Selector of Kenya National Rugby Team, RIP Absalom "Bimbo" Mutere.Let's just take a roll call and see - Spot the Legend! This is from Kenya vs. Zambia 1980. Name the players. In honour of "Bish".

• Battle for Kenya Rugby Awards

  Posted: November 10, 2010, 1:22 pm by Back2Besics

  While our beloved Mean Machine stares relegation in the face anotherbattle pitting Machine Old Boys is playing itself out in the name ofRubgy Awards.Two awards dinners are set for this month. One by KRFU and the otherby popular fans initiative 'Ministry of Rugby'.KRFU General Manager Auka Gecheo is leading the 'official' awardswhile the 'unofficial' awards are ochestered by Thomas Arigi the

• Kenya Cup - Week 5

  Posted: November 8, 2010, 5:56 pm by DataMiner

  Interesting, is all I can say. Impala surprised me by beating Nondies hands-down despite not having 11 of their top players. Ominous signs to me as that will intensify competition for the first jersey. They proved to the world that they do indeed have depth and perhaps something else they are working on. The university boys proved to be just that. Shocking really and wondering if there

• Kenya Cup 6.11.10

  Posted: November 6, 2010, 12:13 am by Back2Besics

  Impala maintain top spot with clinical win over NondiesQuins steamroll Strathmore Leos with little effortMwamba give Machine a whipping to rememberImpala 33 Nondies 21Quins 65 Strathmore Leos 7Mwamba 60 Mean Machine 6Hard luck comrades but Eschuma Absolut

• Weekend Games

  Posted: November 5, 2010, 12:15 pm by DataMiner

  Kenya Cup action resumes this weekend with 3 matches, two teams as usual on a break. Defending champions Nivea Harlequins face second placed Strathmore University Leos at RFUEA, Nondescripts will host a depleted Impala and Mwamba will play Mean Machine, most probably at Campus Impala grounds.A reader encouraged me to give reasons for my calls and I'll give it a shot. Harlequins over Strathmore

• Kenya Rugby 7's coach sprint forced out

  Posted: November 5, 2010, 2:16 am by The Real KRFU

  Geoffrey Kimani the sprints and conditioning coach of the Kenya 7'sside has been forced out of the team. Kimani who has done a sterlingjob with the team is not wanted by the cabal of incompetentadministrators and Kenya 7's director.Kimani was part of the gallant effort that saw the team reach theRugby 7's World Cup where the team reached a record breaking semifinal.Instead the team is now being

• Guest Post - Nondies vs. Impala Battle it out!

  Posted: November 4, 2010, 8:32 pm by ruggerbug

  With great thanks, a guest post from a reader of this blog. Read on!!Match of the day on Saturday brings two of Kenya's illustrious and most successful club sides in XV, Nondies and Impala. With 28 Kenya Cup titles (out of a possible 43 i.e. 65% which excludes old disbanded clubs like Barclays and others) between them, the history, pedigree, tradition and desire of these teams is unmatched.

• Housekeeping

  Posted: November 4, 2010, 3:55 pm by ruggerbug

  Sometimes it's hardSometimes it's easySometimes it's requiredSometimes it's notBut at some one pointSomeone must do itLike or hateLove it or notAnd maybe the time has comeAs a rule we do not moderate comments on this blog, as we are encouraging free speech and dialogue - please see the top of the page. However, more and more abusive language and unpalatable comments are being left on the blog -

• Weekly Ramble

  Posted: November 3, 2010, 6:22 pm by DataMiner

  Not much happening at the moment. All slow and quiet. Just interesting to note that the KRU Awards Dinner has been launched with nominees for awards in various categories. The timing of the awards may throw some people off-track as it covers the season that concluded with the fifteens international season in August. Thus some awards like Sevens team of the year and sevens coach of the year

• Kenya Cup - Week 4

  Posted: November 2, 2010, 12:24 pm by DataMiner

  Not much went against the grain. I expected some players to have more impact than they eventually did, but not to be. Good games all round and I believe our rugby is improving. Pity we missed out on getting a yardstick to measure against! The rest weekends are playing havoc on me and not helping the league standings but I believe they are for the good of the players.Do have a good week all.

Blah blah blah

Fish cakes

Alas a fish cake.

Yet more fish cakes

Guess what ... yeah ... fish cakes.

The end of the fish cakes