Breaking News : KRFU Selectors Resign - 3 wise men gone

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 Sabwa.

Monday November 29th 2010

Frank Sabwa

Hon. Secretary

Kenya Rugby Union

Dear Mr. Sabwa,

Thank you very much for appointing us National selectors for the 2010-2011 season.

We as selectors had a meeting on Friday the 26th of November. During the meeting serious concerns were raised around:

1) The selection of players from outside the squad of 24 players we had initially agreed on. We have received no official clarification from the Kenya Rugby Union.

2) The absence of any selection criteria for the players.

These two issues have meant that we are unable to fulfil our mandate and to take responsibility for squad selection.

After careful consideration of the current environment, and the events of the last four weeks, We herby resign from our positions as National selectors with immediate effect.

We do wish the Kenya Rugby Union and the national Teams the best of luck in the coming season.

Yours sincerely,

William Githinji - Chairman

Paul Odera - Selector

Thomas Odundo - Selector

Githinji is a former sevens coach having been with the team for a long time. He has recently been pursuing a level 3 rugby coaching certificate and is on course with this. He is an oft winning coach with his club Impala and has budded many players who have gone on to be successful stars.

Odera is black Africa's first level 3 coach with impressive coaching credentials. A young budding coach who has done well coaching schools he has ideas that could be useful in developing Kenya's nursery of players. This is one coach the KRFU needs to utilize though has not been treated well in recent years by the KRFU.

Odundo is a former national fifteens coach who had mixed results with the national team. He is credited in leading the team to the second round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time ever before being replaced by Manuel Okoth. Successful at his club and Super Four level he once had a 2 week stint in New Zealand with the NZRU.

These 3 rugby icons have felt betrayed by KRFU and have this called it a day. What a loss to Kenya Rugby.

Kenya Cup - Week 8

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 awards on Friday.

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

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, Fiji defeated South African Vipers 28-19 while in the quarters, the Fijians outclassed a fast and crafty Shujaa outfit 22-10.

Spain were surprise main cup finalists while New Zealand Legends and Germany won the plate and the bowl respectively.

Main cup quarter finals:
Fiji Barbarians 22 Shujaa 10, SA Vipers 47 Japan 0, Samoa Barbarians 40 New Zealand Legends 7, Australian Legends 21 Spain 7;

Semi-final: Fiji Barbarians 28 SA Vipers 19, Samoa Barbarians 14 Spain 17;

Final: Fiji Barbarians 36 Spain 7

Plate semi-finals: Shujaa 7 Japan 15, New Zealand Legends 24 Australian Legends 12;

Kenya Cup Results 27.11.10

Impala bounce back over KCB
Mwamba roll over Nondies
Quins rally to beat Nakuru

Impala 20 KCB 11
Mwamba 24 Nondies 8
Quins 27 Nakuru 20

KRU Gala Awards 2010 Function

Good event at the Regency. Good speech by the Minister, PS and
Commissioner of Sports. Not so impressive by Chairman Omwela as all he
did was attack the Ministry of Rugby.

Congratulations to all the winners Mangu, Quins, Namcos, Kinyany,
Celestine, Kayange, Karuga, Kangaru, Strathmore, Ayumba, Sarah and
Judy.

Weekend Games

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 them into second position. Once more I expect an even contest in the forwards and Impala getting the edge in the backs. The missed kicks I spoke about last weekend will still factor in though this time I give the game to Impala by ten points. Impala have very good set and phase play and this will eventually undo KCB. Quins seem to have a hard time playing away going by their struggle two weeks ago over machine but will easily overcome Nakuru as well. I give them a bonus point victory. Mwamba will be too strong for Nondies. I've actually lost faith in the white shirts and they seem to have run out of steam after a loud start.

MinerData, over to you. Do have a good weekend and enjoy your rugby.

KRFU Gala Awards 2010

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

Weekly Ramble

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 on?

With great fanfare, a sevens training squad of twenty four players was named, presumably for a specific purpose. Presumably also this squad had offer letters and hopefully some kind of contracts specifying their role in the whole setup. I have heard talk of core players, extended squad and academy players. My question now is where do the players, not in this squad of 24, but being frequently called up and traveling fit in? Is the squad expanded? Is this official? Have some players been dropped? And how were the others "selected"? One player not in the initial squad has even made the prestigious first team, traveling to Dubai and George next week!

And my second question.. do we do build ups? We now have players on the main team that have not played any competitive sevens outside our own National Sevens Circuit! Are they then adequately prepared? Are we setting them up for failure? The opportunities have been there, but we have not used them! Or... I hesitate to add... is there a parallel setup being groomed?

Do have a good week and enjoy your rugby. I know I will...

Mitch Ocholla and Sidney Ashioya lead Shujaa to Sri Lanka

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.

Shujaa
1. 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. Felix Ayange (Strathmore)
9. Willy Ambaka (Quins)
10. Fabian Olando (KCB)
11. Ken Isindu (KCB)

Management
12. Mitch Ocholla (Coach)
13. Newton Ong’alo (Team Manager)
14. Kennedy Mogire (Physio)

Kenya Name Squad for Opening Legs of Circuit

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 - Mwamba

Horace Otieno - Mwamba

Wilson Opondo - Harlequins

Leon Adongo - Harlequins

Patrice Agunda - Harlequins

David Ambunya - Harlequins

Gibson Weru - Nakuru

Edwin Shimenga - Nakuru

Brian Nyikuli - Impala

Andrew Amonde - KCB

Peter Ochola - Impala

Ben Nyambu - Nondies

Named as non-traveling reserves are Biko Adema, Innocent Simiyu and Dennis Ombachi. The team participates in the Dubai Sevens and the George Sevens from next week. We wish them well.

Kenya Cup - Week 7

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

You Never Said Goodbye

Mutere! You never said I'm leaving,

You Never Said Goodbye

You 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 heaven

Before 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! Could you come back?

To complete your job?

To strengthen media?

And to lead Afrocentric?

You Comrades!

Do not grieve for me, for now I am free.

I am following the path God has laid, you see.

I took His hand when I heard His call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I couldn’t come back to Tz and say good bye;

I could not stay another day in Zambia,

To laugh, to love, to work or play;

Tasks left undone must stay that way

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys;

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, a read, a pray,

Yes, these things I did to avoid stress.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much:

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Don’t brood upon undue grief;

Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee.

God wanted me now; He set me free.

And I found peace at the break of day.

If you want to remember me

To remember me, my fellow Africans,

Think about football and media's future.

Fight against corruption and be honest;

Think about other’s needs and take action.

To remember me, my dear brothers and sisters,

Work hard to unite Kenyans and build strong Nations.

Let Kenya lead the way towards strong democracy.

Let others learn from our nations about Umoja wa Kitaifa

To remember me, my dear media scholars,

Work on Yaoundé Declaration regarding media policy;

Conduct research and find solution from the bottom up.

Spend your time teaching and be fair to all students

Count for your students and not for class statistics.

I mean let your students perform well, Yah!

No mater how many classes or years you teach,

You’re only praised for your qualified students.

To remember me, my dear Students,

Translate my lessons into action.

Use football and your pen for the brightness of Africa.

Promote love, peace and sustainable development.

That's all about by DevCom and Conflict Communication

Take action to remember me:

Study and work hard to reach your goals

Use your pen positively and kick the football.

Remember me in such a way Ndugu!

Let’s me rest in perfect peace

If you want me to rest in perfect peace,

Please stop grieving for me and take action now.

Connect the unconnected from Kakamega to New York.

Read Pambazuka and use my route to reform Afrocentric

To let me rest in the perfect peace, please!

Use my network to include the excluded,

Use my cell phone to remember the forgettable,

Use any means reach the unreachable,

And finally, fill the gap…pulling them up!

By Kaanaeli Kaale

Mass Communication Student

St. Augustine University of Tanzania

I'm Kaanaeli Kaale from Tanzania. A student of Prof. Absalom Mutere. Please if possible publish my poem to your website. I could come to Kenya to pay my last respect to him.

Mwamba win Hima 10's in Uganda

A star studded Mwamba side won the Hima 10's beating Kobs 36 - 7 in
the final. Mwamba finished the tournament unbeaten with a side that
included Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera, Dennis
Ombachi 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 Absalom
Bimbo Mutere.

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

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 Namibia saw off Western Province I 26-0.

Two Namibian teams, Central and Namibia II drew 12-12 after regulation time before Central won 19-12 in sudden death of the Plate. Central beat Coastal 17-12 in the semi-final while Namibia II beat Northern 24-0.

Kenya’s Shujaa were knocked out by SA Vipers in the main cup quarter final.

Elliptics Gala November 2010

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, Mangu High School, Edward Kinyany, Nation, Capital FM, Supersport and last but not least Milly Mwango. The fans have spoken! Elliptics for life.

Kenya Cup Results 20.11.10

Quins completely roast Impala
KCB fully bank Strathmore
Machine all square with Nakuru

Quins 33 Impala 13
KCB 44 Strathmore Leos 13
Mean Machine 5 Nakuru 5

The return of Machine. Go Machine Go.

Weekend Games

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 will host KCB at Impala Club. Taking a break are Mwamba, who however will be in Uganda for the Hima Tens and Nondies. A national Sevens team will also be taking part in the Dune 7's in Namibia as scooped here weeks ago.

MinerData chickened out on me last weekend but here I go. In the highlight match, it will be fast, furious, and hot tempered. Both sides do not like the ref on the day, but one perceives him to favor the other. I reserve my comments on his officiating. That aside I'm sure the better team on the day will win and I give this to Quins by 4 points. They are coming from a rough weekend whilst Impala have been on a roll and that may just play against them. The forwards battle will be even and Impala will have the edge in the backs. Maybe a missed kick here or there will decide this one. Machine Nakuru will also be close, I give Nakuru by a score. I think they are hungrier than Machine for this. And KCB will run over Strathomore.. no reasons needed.

Do have a good weekend and enjoy your rugby. I know I'll enjoy mine.

Its a free for all at 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 good business savvy, objectivity, accountability, transparency and integrity. Sound corporate governance is reliant on external marketplace commitment and legislation, plus a healthy board culture which safeguards policies and processes.

If the KRFU Board and its employees took time to actually read and comprehend the above statement then some of them and that being a marjority  would have been shown the boot a long time ago. The free for all culture seems to have embedded itself in the KRFU administrative organ thus threatening to actually bring done many years of hard work and individual sacrifice that saw the establishing of the secretariat at the RFUEA grounds in the early 90's.

Shooting straight to the point it now seems those charged with running the national office have continued to grow strong club affiliations rather than shed them off for a more holistic outlook. By this I candidly look at the conduct or rugby leanings of a few within the organisation. The list is compiled with the help of a few friends back home.

• Willy Ombisi - Director KRFU but very much the number 2 in command at Impala RFC
• Innocent Moturi - Director KRFU and a core member of KCB FC management
• Edward Rombo - Director KRFU and head coach Mwamba RFC
• Auka Gecheo - General Manager KRFU and senior management Nondescripts RFC
• Fred Ollows - Development Officer and Director of Rugby Impala RFC
• Eric Situma - Mini Rugby Co-ordinator and Coach Homeboyz 
• Michael Mwanja - KRFU administrator and Mwamba management
• Judy - KRFU Secretary with no club as Ulinzi was disbanded

This brief synopsis really paints a not so rosy picture of the goings on at the KRFU. Key things not being observed are:

Transparency

Integrity

Accountability

Objectivity

I do hope the leadership of the KRFU will wake up and reconstruct the vision which we first set out to do achieve way back in the early 90's.

If not then to quote Chinua Achebe's famous words - "We are no longer at ease." 

Weekly Ramble

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 straight out insults, and I do not think that is fair, or in order. I see moderation of comments coming in very soon. And I sometimes wonder, some anonymous person or with some funny moniker posts some seeming authoritative comments, but how do we treat those? I'd say with the same contempt you treat mine. As unsubstantiated or without authority as we do not know who you are. Or do we? Or do I? Just something to chew on.

What is emerging is there is a lot of disharmony in rugby in Kenya. From feelings some clubs have undue privileges or undue advantages due to certain positions certain individuals hold. And that to me seems to be the issue. People have issues with how some clubs play rugby, or how the coaches select their team, or which players should be in the team. That is good, and healthy discourse. But what I see is enmity being created, or perpetuated by people who have no stake in the outcome. What do I mean? I do not think the players have any issues with each other. Or the technical teams with each other. However, people not directly involved in the clubs or teams management and performance seem to be the ones perpetuating this agenda. And for what reason? Settling old scores? And some of those scores date back to the 70's. A pity really for instead of seeing how all our rugby can progress, others seem keen on perpetuating feuds that only they know what it's about.

As rugby grows and at the pace it is growing, I feel all this negative energy is best directed in another direction. One in which we can all pull together. It is evident that we are struggling to manage this phenomenal growth and insisting on doing it with a stiff arm and a rod. Those are 70's tactics and Kenya has changed. Dialogue and broad based consultation is the way to go. An end to impunity is fast coming.

Finally I congratulate Paul Odera and Godwin Karuga for attaining IRB Level III certification in Coaching and Match Officiating respectively. I trust we will use their talents in ways that can only grow Rugby in Kenya.

Kenya 7's : Namibia Dune Sevens Bound

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, Namibia B and Namibian regional reams.

Abner Xoagub, the secretary general of the NNOC said since rugby sevens had been accepted as an Olympic sport they were looking at ways of helping them qualify for the next edition of the Games.

“We had long discussions with rugby on how to assist them and we wanted an ongoing program on how they plan to qualify for the 2012 Olympics and they said they need to host tournaments,” Xoagub said.

As a result the NNOC decided to give them the money to help them host the tournament that will see some of Africa’s top talent playing in Namibia.

The CEO of the NRU, Sakkie Mouton said that they wanted the sevens team to have regular competition in order for them to be able to compete against the best and qualify for the Olympics.

“We have to start planning for the Olympics and therefore have to get our players to specialize as either sevens players or the 15 member team rugby players,” Mouton said.

“We want the players to play more competitive rugby in Africa and we wanted to host some of these tournaments which they will be competing in,” he added.

The coach of the Namibian teams, Ronaldo Pedro was very confident of his team’s chances at the tournament.

“I think that we will end up in the first two places and if we are second it will be to the South African Springboks. That is the only team we are nervous about, but we are also happy that they are bringing their first team and therefore we will have good practice for the upcoming tournament in George which we will also be a part of,” Pedro said.

“This time we are a better team than last year’s team that won the plate final in the Trustco sevens tournament,” he added.

“Our only concern for the tournament is that we will be missing Attie du Plessis who was called up for the national team that will be in Europe at that time, we have however gotten a good replacement for him,” Pedro continued.

The tournament will be played on a round robin format with the teams divided into four groups.

Kenya is expected to arrive in the country on Wednesday and the rest of the teams that will participate will arrive in Namibia on Thursday.

Odera Top Most Coach in Kenya

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 coaches from around the globe.

Ironically, Odera is more learned than all our national coaches and has only handled the Kenya national fifteens team in the junior Under-19 level. The former Upper Hill and St. Mary's coach feels humbled by the achievement and says it is only the start of great things. Previously he handled Kenya Harlequins before crossing over to Nondies.

"I am very proud to be the first Kenyan and East African to receive this certification and I hope I will use my services to help rugby in the region progress," he said.

The certification means Odera can coach either the Sevens or Fifteens versions of the game with ease.

The Nondies assistant coach has not ruled out using his expertise to coach foreign teams saying he is ready for any challenge. "Any coach’s dream is to take charge of his national side, but those slots already have people. If I am needed elsewhere, I am willing to go," said Odera.

Odera is an IRB educator in the country and trains other coaches in the level one course in conjunction with the Kenya Rugby Union.

The former Kenya Harlequin and Nondies player urges other coaches to step up and take the IRB courses so as to help the game grow. IRB launched the program for level Three coaches last year and less than 50 coaches worldwide have attained the certification. KCB and Homeboyz are rumoured to be interested in Odera's services for the next season.

Homeboyz hold sevens tournament despite KRFU snub

Congratulations to Kibera Youth for winning the first One Night Stand
Sevens Tournament hosted by Homeboyz RFC at Nyayo Stadium.

Kibera mainly composed of Mwamba beat a very competitive Homboyz in
the final. Homeboyz are using the tournament as preparations for their
debut at the Dubai Club Sevens. Kibera Youth went out with 80,000 in
prize money.

The more interesting fact is a good number of fans did turn up at the
venue which was well prepared. The organisers however forgot to put up
touch flags around the pitch. Players put up a good show under the
lights and Collins Injera, Horace Otieno and Dennis Mwanja were the
big name attractions.

KRFU did not sanction the games nor did their executive office turn up
to support the good idea by Homeboyz. Ironically the fixtures were
sent out from their office late in the day and their employee Mike
Mwanja was the Tournament Director.

Kenya Cup Results 13.11.10

Impala embarass Strathmore with huge score
KCB dismiss Nondies haplessly
Mwamba grind down stubborn Nakuru
Quins struggle in win against gritty Machine

Impala 72 Strathmore Leos 0
KCB 44 Nondies 8
Mwamba 17 Nakuru 10
Quins 20 Mean Machine 10

Weekend Games

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. Impala over Strathmore by 15, I just don't think the students are into it. Quins over Machine by a similar score for similar reasons. Mwamba will outlast Nakuru and win by 15 as well and after last weekend, KCB will do the same to Nondies.

Do have a good weekend and enjoy your rugby. I also take time to remember the late Absalom "Bimbo" Mutere, a friend and mentor to many, without being too specific, and truly a member of the Kenya Rugby Hall of Fame.

Lucas Onyango signs new Oldham Roughyeds contract

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 wingers next season in Lucas and John Gillam."

Onyango is the ninth regular member of last season's first team to agree a new deal along with Jason Boults, Dave Ellison, John Gillam, Martin Roden, Ben Heaton, Danny Whitmore, Chris Clarke and Valu Bentley.

The Passing of a Legend - RIP Absalom Mutere

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

While our beloved Mean Machine stares relegation in the face another
battle pitting Machine Old Boys is playing itself out in the name of
Rubgy Awards.

Two awards dinners are set for this month. One by KRFU and the other
by popular fans initiative 'Ministry of Rugby'.

KRFU General Manager Auka Gecheo is leading the 'official' awards
while the 'unofficial' awards are ochestered by Thomas Arigi the self
styled 'Minister'. Arigi is supported by long term student activist
and now corporate Tony Onyango and another old boy Maddi Yaya.

The General Manager has the usual backing of the Chairman Omwela and
part of the Board.

What is interesting is the KRFU awards seem to be a knee jerk reaction
to Arigi's awards which seem to have caught them flatfooted. All these
old boys were good comrades till recently. Where and when they fell
out is not known.

Well the good thing is Machine is in the limelight though wishfully it
should be on the rugger pitch where we are shining.

So we are split between the Ministry of Rugby and the KRFU. Why not
combine both so we can all attend?

Kenya Cup - Week 5

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 really is a case for the expansion of the Kenya Cup to include more teams. Some teams touted to be potential Kenya Cup participants are struggling against second string sides and I wonder, just what is missing? Do the teams themselves know they are missing something and if so, do they know what it is? I doubt it is lack of players as we have "over one thousand" fresh players leaving school every year? Or are we unable to keep these players playing rugby?

Do have a good week and keep the comments coming.

Kenya Cup 6.11.10

Impala maintain top spot with clinical win over Nondies
Quins steamroll Strathmore Leos with little effort
Mwamba give Machine a whipping to remember

Impala 33 Nondies 21
Quins 65 Strathmore Leos 7
Mwamba 60 Mean Machine 6

Hard luck comrades but Eschuma Absolut

Weekend Games

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 by 10. The sheer weight and power of Quins will take control in the second half. Also Quins have a very strong bench that ensures they get stronger as the game progresses. Strathmore will fade away as they make changes. Nondies/Impala will be tough. I believe Impala have great depth as they field sides in 3 competitions, however, losing half your first team is no mean feat. They will struggle with the intensity of Kenya Cup rugby, so I see Nondies win this one by 10 points as well. I expect Mwamba to win by 10 points over Machine. Machine are struggling to find consistency and with Mwamba's open play interspersed with intense physical contact, they are bound to struggle, particularly at the break down.

Do have a good weekend and enjoy your rugby. Please welcome our newest blogger - Women's Rugby, as we await his maiden post. We are still willing to accept other potential bloggers.

Kenya Rugby 7's coach sprint forced out

Geoffrey Kimani the sprints and conditioning coach of the Kenya 7's
side has been forced out of the team. Kimani who has done a sterling
job with the team is not wanted by the cabal of incompetent
administrators and Kenya 7's director.

Kimani was part of the gallant effort that saw the team reach the
Rugby 7's World Cup where the team reached a record breaking semi
final.

Instead the team is now being handled by the Impala rugby 'sprinting'
coach who handled the team under floodlights on Wednesday night.
Coaches Ayimba and Ochieng did not attend the session and watched from
afar.

Kimani's departure follows that of Wanjiku Wairia-Lumula who was also
run out of town by the same cabal. No nutritionist now works the team.

The successful technical arm that took the team to the 2009 World Cup
is slowly being dismantled systematically.

Guest Post - Nondies vs. Impala Battle it out!

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. Interestingly, they combine to form the formidable Cheetahs franchise and this match could also be billed as a trial game.

Impala have been in scintillating form this season and raced to the top of the log. Nondies, who only escaped relegation last season on technicalities, have had a near perfect start to the season save for a single loss to Quins. In a pre-season friendly, Nondies claim to have beaten Impala 17 - 12 giving them a mental edge. Further, with 11 first choice players of Impala touring in Singapore, Nondies can smell blood in the horizon.

Impala's attempts to have the game postpone were unsuccessful (i thought Impala controlled KRU??) and they will have to dig deep to field a formidable side. Rumour has it that some players are being called out of retirement to fill in the numbers for this game as Impala approaches the game placing a premium on experience. But the question is whether the old war horses have enough left in teh tank sustain the intensity and physicality of modern day Kenya Cup together with new changes in the law. Bar talk like "in our days" has no place in the modern game.

I cannot wait for Saturday to see this match unravel. Only a brave man will call a winner in this situation.

Cheers

Oluoko

Housekeeping

Sometimes it's hard

Sometimes it's easy

Sometimes it's required

Sometimes it's not

But at some one point

Someone must do it

Like or hate

Love it or not

And maybe the time has come

As 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 - including insults to the Head of State of the Republic of Kenya. It may be the aim of some people to ensure the blog is called "trash" or "gutter". But for us it is simple - moderate all comments and let only the clean ones come out.

Now we wait for more insults...

Weekly Ramble

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 may be confusing as we have held a full sevens season!

Speaking of Sevens awards, the Western Union sponsored circuit and final day ensured we had awards for outstanding performances in various categories targeting specifically the sevens circuit. The fifteens awards are therefore hazy in covering both Kenya Cup and the International Fifteens season. Meaning people like top points scorer, top try scorer, MVP, etc. for Kenya Cup, supposed to be the premier rugby event in the country, will not be feted at any point in time! And perhaps goes to show just the seriousness with which we treat the Kenya Cup, supposed to be the bedrock of Rugby in Kenya.

To vote for your favorite person in the published categories, you can visit http://www.kenyarfu.com/gala/login.cfm and vote online.

Do have a good week.

Kenya Cup - Week 4

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.