The year 2023 saw key Kenyan Rugby stars call it quits either internationally or both internationally and locally from the rugby scenes.
Here is the list of players who bid the lovely sport goodbye in the last 300-plus days.
1. Collins Injera
In January of this year, Collins Injera, an esteemed 7s star with a career spanning 17 years, announced his retirement.
In a statement shared on his social media, he expressed, “I have always said that I would know if it is time because my body will tell me. And the past few months my body has really spoken to me so finally I have decided to listen to it.”
Injera’s remarkable career included participation in four 7s World Cups—2009, 2013, 2018, and 2022—the most appearances by a Kenyan player in the prestigious event.
Collins Injera and wife pose for a photo after being inducted. Photo Courtesy/C Injera.
He also holds the distinction of being Kenya’s leading try-scorer, with an impressive total of 249 tries in the 7s World Series. Throughout his career, Injera garnered numerous accolades.
The former Mwamba RFC utility player played a pivotal role in the Kenya 7s team’s victory at the Singapore 7s in 2016 earning player of the final award.
His retirement marked the conclusion of a career that included participation in several world 7s series finals, such as the Adelaide 7s in 2009, Wellington 7s in 2013, Singapore 7s in 2016, Vancouver 7s in 2018, and Hong Kong 7s in 2018.
Injera is currently working with Mwamba and has a role in the Senate Liaison office.
2. Willy Ambaka
Kenya 7s star Willy Ambaka announced his exit from the International 7s stage and Sydney 7s was his final tournament for the sevens side.
The player in a statement posted on his social media pages stated that he believed it was time to end his 13-year journey.
“After thirteen incredible years playing for the Kenya Rugby Union, I’m beginning to understand that while pursuing great things, it is the pursuit that holds the greatest value. While it has been a tremendous journey, now it is time to pull the curtains on my international rugby sevens journey. This is why I have come the decision that I will be playing my final leg in Sydney this season.”
Ambaka commenced his rugby career with Kenya Harlequin in 2010. He was recommended to the Kenya Sevens by Harlequins’ strength and conditioning coach, Geoffrey Kimani. His debut for the national Kenya Sevens team took place at the 2011 Hong Kong Sevens tournament, and he continued to represent them during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 IRB Sevens World Series.
Kenya 7s Willy Ambaka launches an attack against the Australia defense on day two of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Coventry Stadium on 30 July, 2022 in Coventry, England. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Ambaka’s outstanding performance during the 2012-2013 season earned him recognition as part of the HSBC Sevens World Series Dream Team. In 2013, he was nominated for the IRB Sevens Player of the Year award, although he lost to Tim Mikkelson of New Zealand. He also participated in the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow and made a return to represent Kenya at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town in 2022.
On the club level, Ambaka signed a professional contract with Lyon for the 2013–14 Rugby Pro D2 season, marking him as the first Kenyan rugby player to play for a team in the top two divisions in France. His contributions were instrumental in Lyon winning the title and gaining promotion to the Top 14 for the 2014–15 season.
Following his stint with Lyon, Ambaka joined South African Currie Cup side Western Province in 2014, but an ankle injury prevented him from making any appearances during their title-winning season. He has also played for Manawatu in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup and the Russian side Narvskaya Zastava.
3. Darwin Mukidza.
Darwin Mukidza, widely known as the “smiling assassin,” retired from representing the national 15s team, the Simbas, concluding his tenure as the country’s highest point scorer.
Mukidza, who made his debut in 2015 against Portugal, played a total of 47 matches in the national 15s jersey. Additionally, he had the privilege of representing the Shujaas, Kenya’s 7s team, on 16 occasions.
In a post shared by Mukidza, he expressed that it is time to step aside and make way for the upcoming generations. “It is time to call it a day in my international career and allow the next generation of players to take us to a rugby world cup,” he stated in part of his post.
KCB’s Darwin Mukidza kicks agaisnt Mwamba in Kenya Cup. Photo Courtesy/Denis Acre-hALF
Mukidza left the stage as Kenya’s top try-scorer and point-scorer. Furthermore, he holds the distinction of being the second most capped Kenyan international in terms of appearances for the national team.
4. Curtis Lilako
Curtis Lilako the former KCB rugby club captain announced his retirement after the completion of 2022/2023 rugby 15s season.
Lilako announced his retirement via a post on his X social handles saying CL3 out.
Lilako had a successful rugby career with the bankers captaining the side to a four-peat between 2017 and 2021 in Kenya Cup. He has also won several multiple Enterprise cups and Floodlit titles with the bankers.
In the international scene, Lilako boosts of having been capped 38 times representing the Simbas. His last international match was at the RFUEA against Zambia in 2019 where he captained the team to a 31-16 win.
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5. Billy Odhiambo.
Billy Odhiambo who has had a span of 11 years in the rugby scenes called it a day on his 30th birthday.
Billy ‘ The Kid’ Odhiambo first represented the Kenya 7s in 2012 During The Port Elizabeth 7s and his last event was London 7s 2023 before he finally called it a day in the sport that he loves the most.
Kenya 7s Billy Odhiambo scores a try against Japan on day two of the HSBC Singapore Sevens at Singapore National Stadium on 10 April, 2022 in Kallang, Singapore. Photo credit: Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
Odhiambo had a successful career and he is one of the most capped players in the 7s. He is also among the five players who have scored 100+ tries in the World 7s series for the Kenya Shujaa.
6. Evelyn Kalemera
Evelyn Kalemera a veteran Kenya Lioness front rower, called it quits after a five-year career.
Kalemera announced her retirement via her Facebook page noting that a good dancer knows when to leave the stage. “ No matter how good you are, if you stay too long you spoil it. A good dancer must know when to leave the stage.” Read part of her post.
“ The body still wants it but the mind is unwilling.” Continued the statement.
Evelyne Kalemera in a past interview. PHOTO/Sports Central
Kalemera who began her rugby journey way back in 2015, and featured first for the Lionesses in 2019 winning the Elgon Cup on her debut, went on to represent the nation in various competitions recently being the WXIV in Dubai helping the team to retain their status for the upcoming WXIV.
Her last game in the Kenyan jersey was against Uganda again in the Elgon Cup where they won.
She will however continue playing for her club, Mwamba RFC as she also aims to work on development of upcoming talents.
7. Marlin Mukolwe
Multiple Kenya Cup winner Marlin Mukolwe confirmed recently that 2022/23 season was his last season as a player. The scrum-half had a successful career at KCB Rugby before moving to Blak Blad.
Besides the two clubs, Mukolwe represented Kenya U19 on several occasions in the Barthes Cup.
8. Eliud Mulakoli.
Eliud Mulakoli represented Kabras, USIU, Kenya Harlequins and Mombasa RFC as a centre before calling it a day in the world of rugby.
Mulakoli began his journey back in high school at Malava high school before moving to Kabras for his club rugby.
In a post he shared on his social media, he expressed gratitude for his rugby career. “ I just want to firstly thank God for blessing me with such an amazing career that seemed short but unfolded beyond my dreams.” Read part of his post.
Eliud Mulakoli receives Kenya Simbas jersey. PHOTO/KRU
Mulakoli who has also featured for the Simbas in 2019 at the RFUEA during the Elgon Cup against Zambia where Kenya emerged victorious.
After Kabras RFC, Mulakoli joined USIU after landing a scholarship. He later joined Kenya Harlequins before moving to Mombasa RFC until his retirement.
