Kenya Sevens captain George ‘Japolo’ Ooro has shared a heartfelt message bidding farewell to Strathmore Leos following his recent switch to KCB RFC.
In his emotional statement on his social media pages, Ooro expressed immense gratitude to the Leos fraternity and reflected on the transformative impact the club has had on his career.
“Strathmore Leos wasn’t just a team, it was home. It gave me the opportunity to grow, to sharpen my skills and most importantly, to believe in my dreams. It’s during my time with the Leos that I got the honor to wear the Kenya Shujaa jersey, an achievement I will always be proud of and continue to hold dear as I remain part of the national setup,” he stated.
Ooro joined Strathmore in 2021 and quickly rose through the ranks, earning his maiden Shujaa call-up under then-head coach Damian McGrath for the HSBC World Sevens Series in Hong Kong.
He was later appointed national team captain in 2024 by head coach Kevin Wambua, following Shujaa’s promotion back to the World Series through the Challenger Series.
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“It already feels like a new home filled with ambition, drive and unity. I’m excited for what’s ahead and I promise to give my all at KCB Rugby as I wear their jersey, just as I did at Strathmore Leos. To the Strathmore Leos fraternity, coaches, teammates, management, fans: thank you for believing in me. You helped shape the player and person I am today. To my KCB family and all rugby lovers, I’m ready for the next level. The journey continues with hard work, heart, teamwork and gratitude,” he said.
George Ooro Strath Achievements
During his time at Strathmore, Ooro helped the team to notable achievements including two Kenya Cup semifinal appearances, back-to-back Embu 7s titles, Christie 7s victory in 2022, a third-place finish in the 2023 National Sevens Circuit, and most recently, the Prinsloo 7s title in 2024. He was also named MVP in various tournaments.
A new chapter begins . After 5 incredible years with @strathleos27 full of growth, grit and unforgettable memories. I’m proud to announce my move to @kcbrugby . Grateful for the journey so far, excited for what lies ahead. Let’s build greatness together.#rugbyke #kinggeorgeooro pic.twitter.com/ARCBm0cNha
— King George Ooro, OLY , Japolo (@KingGeorgeOoro) July 31, 2025
He made his KCB RFC debut at the recently concluded Driftwood 7s, the first leg of the 2025 National Sevens Circuit, helping the bankers reclaim the title they last won in 2019.
Ooro featured in all matches up to the semifinals, where he sustained an injury during a tightly contested clash against Kabras. Though he missed the final against his former side Strathmore, his contribution was pivotal in KCB’s triumph.
