In 2016, Kabras RFC, under Australian coach Mike Bishop, made history by clinching their maiden Kenya Cup title with a 22-5 victory over Impala Saracens at the Impala Club.
Impala had topped the regular season standings and were favourites heading into the final, but Kabras flipped the script on a rainy evening to announce their arrival on the big stage.
A decade later, as Kabras prepare for their 11th consecutive Kenya Cup final, this time against KCB Rugby, we look back at the 23-man squad that delivered that historic triumph and where they are now.
Kabras RFC Backs
15. Jone Kubu (Full back)
The lone Fijian still at Kabras, Kubu has remained a key figure since 2016 and has played a role in the club’s continued success, including last season’s 27-26 win over Menengai Oilers to seal a four-peat. He will, however, miss this year’s final due to suspension following a red card in the semifinal win over Blak Blad.
Kabras’ Jone Kubu takes a kick in a past match . PHOTO/Denis Acre-Half.
14. Brian Tanga (Winger)
Tanga scored Kabras’ first try in the 2016 final and has grown into one of the club’s longest-serving players. The Kenyan International has now assumed a new role as a scris in line to feature in his 10th Kenya Cup final this season.
13. Fabian Olando (Outside centre)
Olando’s boot was instrumental in the 2016 victory. He has since retired and previously served as an assistant coach at Kisumu RFC.
12. Nick Barasa (Inside centre)
Barasa played for Kabras until 2020 before shifting focus to his career as an electrical engineer at West Kenya Sugar Company. He now serves as Kabras RFC’s Director of Rugby.
11. Beda Aluda (Winger)
One of the fastest wingers to play for Kabras, Aluda moved to Kenya Harlequin after leaving the club in 2018. An injury curtailed his career, and he has not returned to competitive rugby post-COVID.
10. Jone Navuso (Fly-half)
The Fijian fly-half returned home after the 2016 season.
9. Edwin Achayo (Scrum-half)
Achayo transitioned into coaching after retirement. He has served as a 7s coach in 2018 and led the technical bench when Kabras won the 2023 Enterprise Cup. He is currently a development coach working with emerging talent.
Kabras RFC forwards
1.Hillary Mwanjilwa (Prop)
A long-serving forward for both Kabras and the Kenya Simbas, Mwanjilwa is nearing the end of his playing career. Injuries have limited his recent seasons, including a recurring knee issue this year.
Kenya Simbas and Kabras RFC prop Hillary Mwanjila warming up. PHOTO/Scrummage Africa
2. Sava Racigi (hooker)
Returned to Fiji after the 2016 triumph.
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3.Duncan Mwangi (Prop)
Moved into a role at West Kenya Sugar Company after retiring from rugby.
4. Anthony Ogot-(Lock)
A respected lock who also served as a player-coach before relocating to the USA after retirement.
5. George Nyambua Otieno- (Lock)
A true Kabras legend. Now in his 13th year with the club, Nyambua has played in 10 consecutive finals and is set for an 11th. He has experienced the full journey, from the 2016 breakthrough to four straight final losses, then four consecutive titles. As captain, he remains unbeaten and could lead Kabras to a historic five-peat.
6. Apensia Natabua (Flanker)
Returned to Fiji after the 2016 season.
7.Levi Ochieng (Flanker)
One of the club’s early pillars, Ochieng left after the 2016 success and went on to feature for Nondescripts and Homeboyz.
8.Maxwell Adaka (8th-man)
The captain during the 2016 triumph, Adaka later led the side until a COVID-era injury. He transitioned into coaching, serving as forwards coach, assistant coach, and 7s coach, winning the Kakamega 7s in 2019 and stepping in during Kabras’ 2023 Enterprise Cup win.
Kabras RFC forward coach Max Adaka in a past Kenya Cup match. PHOTO/Adolwa Miliza.
Replacements
16. Joseph Amalemba (Hooker)
Moved to Homeboyz after 2016 and played until the COVID-19 disruption. He is now a practicing lawyer.
17. Steve Ochieng (Prop)
Remained with Kabras until last season before moving on.
18. Charles Uhuru- (Lock)
Returned to Uganda and enjoyed success with Heathens RFC. He later linked up with Victoria Sharks.
19. Geoffrey Messo – (Lock)
Played a few more seasons before transitioning into a team manager role and later joining the coaching staff.
20.Fidel “Baboon” Castro Oloo- back row
Won the National 7s Circuit in 2017 and later moved to Nondescripts, where he served as captain. He is currently understood to be working as a security analyst.
21. Martin Juma -back
Moved to USIU in 2017 and later featured for Nondescripts and Homeboyz before returning to Nondescripts.
Perminus Macharia- back
Remained with Kabras until Henley du Plessis’ early tenure. He has since stepped away from playing.
Malik Habil- back
Played for Kabras until post-COVID before moving to Kisumu RFC, where he helped them retain Kenya Cup status. He has since retired.
Head coach Mike Bishop- Moved to back to Australia
