How Nakuru RFC celebrates the legacy of fallen players

Since the formation of Nakuru RFC (Wanyore) in the 1980s, many players have touched down for the club and over the years they have built a rugby family and fan base comprising of the Wanyore community.

In the spirit of sportsmanship, they have lifted trophies including the first ever Kenya Cup title in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.

But as time went on, we were forced to bid farewell to many of the star players who flew the Kenyan flag high through sportsmanship.

But despite their physical absence, their legacies live on. Thanks to a conscious effort by the club to honour those who have passed on within the Wanyore community.

According to Nakuru RFC head coach Simon Warioki, they have two main tournaments held annually to honour the fallen heroes. They have the Eric Situma Memorial Championship and the Andrew Onyuna Memorial 7s tournament.

"Today we are holding the inaugural Ander Onyuna 7s at the Nakuru Athletics Club. Andy is a man who toiled for the club as a player and his influence was felt even after he left active rugby. He would support the club even when he was miles away, with kit, balls and food for the young boys and girls," he notes.

Aside from Andy, Warioki notes that they also celebrate Eric Situma, (Stu) on June 1 every year for his contribution to the club.  

He notes that as a coach, he has given his heart, time and skill to ensure that the club has seen remarkable development from the players' level to the team's general outlook.

For Warioki, who also played for Wanyore at the time, Stu had a huge impact on Nakuru RFC, including the current age-grade run under Nakuru RFC, not to mention the joy of winning their first Kenya Cup title as Wanyore.

"Stu was a great coach and the biggest contribution I can say he left Nakuru Rugby is the Age Grade programme. John Okoth, Monate Akuei, Javan Otieno, James Macharia, Fredric Odongo are some but a few players who are a product of the age grade programme," he says.

Apart from tournaments, the club has also presented trophies in honour of deceased members of the Wanyore family at its two main tournaments of the year, the Prinsloo 7s and the Great Rift 10 aside tournament.

Warioki says in the recent 10 aside tournaments, a Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy was awarded in honour of the late Nakuru RFC chairman Daniel Mwangi. The title comes with a cash prize of Sh50,000.

In 2023, Nakuru RFC honoured the memory of Justin Migiro alias Tyson by introducing the Most Promising Player trophy in honour of the die-hard Wanyore fan.

His death in 2021 left the rugby fraternity dented, with many saying he left a void that was hard to feel. The club also has Tyson branded clothing worn by Nakuru RFC players.

Warioki notes that the old boys of Nakuru are dear to the club. Although they have not played a tribute match in their honour, they have remained close to the club and have been instrumental in advising the club. At the moment, the club only gives access to all our tournaments to the old boys who played for the club.