Kenya U18 head coach Paul Odera has unveiled a squad of 60 players selected to represent the national team following the U18 trials held at the RFUEA Grounds on September 8, 2024.
The trials, which attracted 240 players from seven regions across the country, saw Odera and his selectors narrow down the talent pool to four players per position, forming the final squad.
Kenya U18 includes:
Among the standout selections is East African 7s Most Valuable Player, Victor Wawire, who played a pivotal role in helping Vihiga High School clinch their maiden Regional 7s title.
Butula High School’s Daniel Wafula, a member of the Kabras Academy, also earned a spot, along with Kisii School’s rising star Matrix Matangi. Another key selection is Josephat Karanja, who was instrumental in All Saints’ triumphs at both the National and East African levels.
Paul Odera said: “It has been an involving and rewarding process getting the top sixty players across the country for the Kenya U18 team 2024. It has taken 7 months of effort from Regional Development Officers, teachers, guardians, and parents to put it all together. I am sincerely grateful to all the stakeholders who have made this possible.
“The initial list had 480 players. i.e 60 players were chosen across 8 regions in Kenya from the regional games and international schools tournaments. Coaching clinics and trials were then conducted by the head coach in 7 regions and the international schools over two months in May and June. The numbers were whittled down to 240 players, who were selected to take part in a regional competition,” he told KRU official portal.
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“After the regional competition played at the RFUEA grounds on the 8th of September, 60 players (4 players for each position) were selected to be part of the U18 squad in 2024. They will then be further cut down to 30 players to go on tour in 2025. To be eligible for selection: Players needed to submit their documents for verification and Players should have been born on or after 31st July 2006
“Half of the squad of 60 need to be eligible to play for the U18 team in 2025. There will be mental wellness support through the KRU facilitated by Rowena Tirop. A virtual group session for teachers, parents, guardians, and players who did not make the team will be held on Monday, September 30th. Please get in touch with the team manager Joseph Guchu on kenyaunder18@gmail.com to get more information on the mental wellness session, and individual statistics from Tisini data analysts.” Odera concluded.
Kenya U18 final squad
Loosehead Prop (1)
– Derryl Johnnie Mwanga – Jeffreys School
– Fortune Jiveri Saina – Tambach High School
– Peter Mbugua – Mangu High School
– Victor Kipkoech Chumba – St. Patrick’s Iten
Hooker (2)
– Monda Tsuyoshi – St. Christophers’
– Peter Mutahi Njuguna – All Saints Embu High School
– Max Oliver Haysom – Hillcrest
– Wayne Rooney Otieno – Alliance High School
Tighthead Prop (3)
– Spencer Finley – Rift Valley Academy
– Jibril Lugongo – Koyonzo High School
– Innocent Indeche – St. Marys Yala
– Gilbert Magak – Maseno School
Lock (4 & 5)
– Jaden Paul Oyier – Maseno School
– Arnold Okemwa – Alliance High School
– Derrick Osano Okemwa – Mangu High School
– Peter Delville – St. Patrick’s Iten
– Louis Kipkorir – Lenana School
– Elkanah Muyaga – Vihiga High School
– Daniel Musyoka – Kitui High School
– Joshua Jotham Warui Muhamed – Dawamu School
Blindside Flanker (6)
– Benard Anyonje Omukhulu – Chavakali School
– Nigel Aggrey Okoko – Moi Forces Academy
– Eugine Kiplagat Kibii – St. Patrick’s Iten
– Clide Kimaya – Vihiga High School
Openside Flanker (7)
– Paul Madior Ajang – All Saints Embu High School
– Bull Ball Bull – All Saints Embu High School
– Peter Wanyoike – Senende High School
– Shapan Tyron Ochieng Oluoch – Kakamega School
Number 8 (8)
– Ashraf Juma Kwambala – Malindi High School
– Dennis Bajila Bashora – Marafa Boys
– Sam Imani Wala – Rosslyn
– Strafford Nyambane – Kisii High School
Scrum Half (9)
– Daniel Wafula – Butula High School
– Ezekiel Ray Apida – Kabianga High School
– Roman Getonto – Alliance High School
– Rohan Neel Shah – Intl School of Kenya (ISK)
Fly Half (10)
– Victor Wawire – Vihiga High School
– Jeff Andigo Otieno – Ofafa Jericho
– Josephat Karanja – All Saints Embu High School
– Junior Katama – Barani Secondary School
Left Wing (11)
– Melvin Mweresa – Vihiga High School
– Abel Agura – Cardinal Otunga
– Derrick Mutisya Makove – Kitondo School
– Andrew Mwangi Wachira – Intl School of Kenya (ISK)
Inside Centre (12)
– Oelofse Jean Pierre – Braeburn Garden Estate
– Darker Lyndon Alexender – Hillcrest
– Seth Muiru Maina – St. Anthony’s Kitale
– Brison Okara Makori – Kakamega School
Outside Centre (13)
– Diaoune Al-Gassime Willard – Braeburn Garden Estate
– Emmanuel Maina – Moi Forces Academy
– Peter Otieno – All Saints Embu High School
– Garang Geu – All Saints Embu High School
Right Wing (14)
– Chris Kenneth Obuya – Agoro Sare
– Asaph Kiptoo – Mangu High School
– Abel Kiplagat – Lenana School
– Nahason Galgalu – ODA secondary school
Fullback (15)
– Alvin Kiplangat Rono – Kapsabet High School
– Calistus Emmanuel Wamune – Chavakali School
– Simon Kipkogei Kiprono – St. Patrick’s Iten
– Matrix Otoki – Kisii High School
