Rugby, popularly referred as ‘rudge’ in Kenya is played in three different versions namely sevens aside, ten aside and fifteen aside. This basically reflects the number of Rugby players playing on against each other. The Sevens rugby game in Kenya, however, overshadows the full version of 15 players per team because of the shorter type’s less infrastructure to develop and sustain.

Rugby game in Kenya has made tremendous strides in development and has brought so much pride to Kenya with regard to the results obtained. The good results that have come out are due to the creation and development of a well-organized rugby league and rugby cup tournaments in Kenya that feature the top rugby clubs in Kenya.

Kenya Rugby Union is the governing body of Rugby Union in Kenya. Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) is in charge of running the Kenyan Rugby national teams in addition to organizing various rugby competitions in Kenya among Kenyan Rugby clubs and schools. The major rugby competitions among Kenya Rugby clubs are : the Rugby Elgon Cup, Enterprise and Mwamba Rugby Cup, Eric Shirley Shield, Great Rift 10-Aside, Kenya Rugby Cup, Mombasa International Sevens, National Sevens Circuit, Nationwide League, Rugby Super Series and the annual Safaricom Sevens. Kenya Rugby clubs are well developed and managed leading to success in the rugby game.

Kenyan Rugby Football Clubs are a mix of pre-colonial and newly established rugby clubs and they been responsible for development of very quality rugby players in Kenya for the national rugby teams. The Kenyan Rugyby clubs have also been performing quite well in comparison to the countries neighboring Kenya. The rugby clubs in Kenya include; Nondescripts rugby club, Kenya Harlequins rugby club, Mwamba rugby club, Impala rugby club, Homeboyz rugby club, Strathmore Leos rugby club, KCB rugby club, Mean Machine rugby club in Kenya, Black Blad rugby club, Nakuru rugby club, Eldoret rugby club, Mombasa rugby club and Kisumu RFC rugby club.

The rugby schools tournaments in Kenya are categorized in first, second and third tiers i.e. Prescott, Damu Pevu and Damu Changa cups in Kenya. The participants of the rugyby schools tournaments in Kenya are mostly drawn from Nairobi and its environs. The rugby games in Kenya are played in the second term of the Kenyan school calendar. Notable winners of the Prescott cup in Kenya include St Mary’s High school (Saints) in Kenya, Rift Valley Academy (RVA) in Kenya, Lenana School (Changez) in Kenya, Mangu High school in Kenya, Nairobi school (Patch) in Kenya and Alliance high school (Bush) in Kenya.

Among the many success stories of KRU in Kenya, is the Kenya 15s team win over Zimbabwe in the 2013 Africa cup final and the various successes of the Kenya national sevens team including being one of 12 `core teams` in the IRB Sevens World Series, reaching Semi-finals of the 2009 and 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens among others.

The Kenya Rugby Union is located in the RFUEA Ground in Nairobi. One can get to KRFUEA grounds along Ngong road by boarding a KBS or a City hoppa bus number 4 (to Riruta Satellite in Nairobi), city hoppa bus 5 (to Jamhuri Estate in Nairobi) or matatu 24 ( to Karen) from Kencom bus stage in the city centre of Nairobi. The bus fare to Kenya Rugby Union Offices in Nairobi is Kshs 40 or Kshs 50 depending on the time.

More details: http://www.kenyarfu.com/, http://www.mwambarugby.com/, http://kcbrfc.blogspot.com/, http://www.nakururugby.com/,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_union_in_Kenya

JACOB GHOST MULEE

The coach propelled Kenya into the Africa cup of nations that saw the young team perform well despite not qualifying for the next round.Mulee has since helped the national team do well in major events and has been a crucial force in the issues pertaining the national team. He has made history with the team and continues to aspire to do well and help the level of football in the country to grow.

JAMES NANDWA

The coach used a set of local based players that he used them to reach the cecafa finals in Uganda Kampala. James has been consistent with producing good results with the team and continues to incorporate new players into the team.He has continued to offer support despite being sackedas the head coach.

ADEL AMROUCHE

The coach is from Belgium and is using the skills in their mother country to improve the level of football in Kenya. He has already made history with the team by being champions of the cecafa challenge cup held in Nairobi. He is very understanding and continues to nurture new players that go ahead and advance upto international standards a good example being Francis kahata.

FRANCIS KIMANZI

He is one of the coaches that have registered the highest fifa rankings with the national team. The coach used the skills of foreign based players to perform well and has helped improve the self confidence of players since the time. He still takes active part in football coaching local clubs that also do well.

HENRI MICHAEL

The coach has a lot of experience in football having coached a number of African nations that have registered good performance in major events. He is very understanding and builds the trust of a player and is also a natural motivator by nature. He perfects the skills of young talents and encourages them to continue doing well in the field.

 

 

 

Gor Mahia is one of the football clubs in Kenya that participate in the Kenya premier league. It is among the oldest clubs in the history of football in Kenya and it has been successful in recent times having won the KPL Top 8 in 2012. It was founded on 17th February 1968.They have won the Kenya premier league twelve times, one less  than their rival-A.F.C Leopards who have won it thirteen times.

They are the favorites club to win this season’s league cup after having consistent performance throughout the season. They are in the first position with fifty (50) points, followed by Sofa Paka F.C who are in the second position with 43 points, then followed by A.F.C Leopards with 41 points who are third. They only need four points from the remaining five matches to be crowned the champions after 18 years. If will be awarded the three points they played against Sony sugar, it will be indeed their time to claim the championship because they will only require  two points from the remaining matches before they can be declared the champions.

The form of the K’Ogalo has been consistent especially after beating Thika United, Mathare United and Chemelil sugar. They last lost to the Tusker F.C by one goal and they gone to keep clear sheet since that lose. They have been kept on toes by their coach Bobby Williamson who has ensured better performance from his player. Their striker Dan Sserunkuma is the current league top scorer with seven goals and his form has greatly contributed to the form of the club. The fans of the K’Ogalo allover the country have hope that their club will win the league and they have placed their faith to the players.

The current squad of Gor Mahia include Goalkeepers Jerim Onyango, Ivo Mapunda, and Joel Batan. Defenders- David Otieno, Donald Mosoti, Israel Emuge, Musa Muhammed, Ivan Anguyo, Ronald Okoth and Solomon Nasio. Midfielders- Chris Wekesa, Joseph Njuguna, Anthony Akumu, Innocent Mutiso, Anthony Gathu, Moses Odhiambo, Eric Ochieng and Kelvin Odhimbo.  Strikers- Edwin Lavatsa, Dan Sserunkuma, Raphael Kiongera, Rama Salim, Paul Odhiambo, and Patrick Oboya.

The above mentioned players are the ones who are keeping the club at top form and all eyes are on them to check if they can win the league after a long time. Their remaining fixtures are against Sofa paka, Home boys, KCB, and Ulinzi Stars which have been viewed as the difficult fixtures they have ahead of them keeping in mind that they only need four points. It is the wish of the club to equalize the record of A.F.C Leopard who currently has 13 league cups.

The Gor Mahia are currently waiting for the vandict about controversial match between them and Sony Sugar which has been postponed until next week 24th, Thursday 2013.

 

Sports in Kenya usually comprise of athletics, volleyball, netball, boxing, tennis and football. Football in Kenya has been on the media limelight in Kenya mainly because of the performance of the Kenya national team, Harambee Stars in soccer. The shortcoming of Harambee Stars in Kenya has resulted in many Kenyans believing that Kenya cannot be able to compete in Africa and the rest of the world when it comes to football. This has been attributed by poor performance of Kenya in national matches especially in qualifications of the African cup of nation (CAF) and the world cup. Most attribute this failure to lack of support of Kenya football by the government of Kenya.

The other team that is facing the same problem is Kenya volleyball national team (women) which regardless of performing extremely well in Africa and the rest of the world, the government of Kenya still shows no support. They have won the cup in four consecutive years as the champions of Africa. Despite their best performance and recognition in Africa and the rest of the world, the government of Kenya has not made any attempt to support the national team. This can really contribute to the loss of Kenya talented players who may see that the government of Kenya does not recognize and appreciate their importance to the nation.

If we would analyze Kenya national football team (Harambee Stars), there are many factors that have contributed to decline in its performance in Kenya. Currently, it is positioned at position 128 in the football world ranking. We have seen how the government of Kenya has failed to support our national team through the ministry of sports and youth affairs in Kenya. Without financial support, there is no organization in Kenya that can carry on with their operations. It has been the lack of full funding from the government of Kenya that has contributed to failure to thrive for Kenya national team.

The condition of denial of allowances and delays in their salaries has demoralized Kenya players until they cannot dedicate their talents for the benefit of our country anymore. In most occasions, we have heard the likes of Mariga and Oliech in Kenya complaining that they have not been paid their allowances, and at times they are forced to use their money to pay their tickets whenever we have football international matches. The government of Kenya sometimes award athletes in occasions they win medals. The Football Kenya Limited (FKL) has failed to cooperate with the Kenya national team coach in incorporating young talented youths who can make an impact in the Kenyan team. We have 47 counties in Kenya, and if we can make an attempt of visiting each of them, we cannot miss young Kenyans talented in football who can carry Kenya to the next level in sports.

The Harambee Stars have lacked exposure to other parts of the world in terms football because there have been few international friendly matches and there is one is usually against an African country. Our Kenyan team needs to face countries such as Spain, Brazil, Netherlands and many others that are performing extremely well in football so that we can emulate their styles and improve on our own. Issue of firing Kenyan coach each time our team performs poorly is not a good idea. A coach should be given time to build on the team on a long term bases so that he can learn on the strength and weakness of each player in the Kenya team so as to build on them.

It is about time the government of Kenya valued the national team; Harambee Stars because they represent us beyond Kenya. The ministry of sports in Kenya should begin to support the team by fully financing it and improving on the stadiums in Kenya so that our players can feel appreciated since this boost their morale hence improving our team.

Bukhungu Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in Kenya build in Kakamega Town. This Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega Town is one of those that have been verified by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to host Kenya Premier League matches. Bukhungu stadium in Kenya is a multi-purpose stadium in Kakamega that is a home ground for two premier league clubs; western stima football club and Kakamega homeboys football club in Kenya. The football fans in Kenya of these two footbal clubs attend the home matches of these clubs in Bukhungu Stadium.

Initially, the Bukhungu Stadium was losing revenues from the gate collection because the fans were accessing the stadium through various porous perimeter fence but the Bukhungu Stadium ground was rehabilitated in 2012 after it was allocated Kshs.20 million by the Kakamega municipal council in Kenya in their budget. The Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega hosted last year’s (2012) edition of the annual Kenya inter-municipalities sports and cultural association (KIMSCA) games in Kenya after it was rehabilitated.

The Bukhungu Stadium has a carrying capacity of about 5,000 spectators and the majority of them (fans) are usually from Kakamega County in Kenya. Bukhungu Stadium was initially managed by Kakamega municipal council but the responsibilities of the stadium have moved to the county level (Kakamega County) where it is managed in terms of renovation and gate collections. Bukhungu Stadium in Kenya has small kiosks on the front part which sell beverages such as sodas and have MPESA services. Certain national functions in Kenya such as Jamhuru day are also usually celebrated in Bukhungu Stadium where the governor addresses the people of Kakamega county.

Bukhungu stadium in Kakamega is fenced by bricks on the outer part till where it connects with the fence of Masinde Muliro University of science and technology (MMUST) in Kenya. Bukhungu Stadium has a well established drainage system that controls water from the rainfall. The Bukhungu Stadium in Kenya is located on the Kakamega Kisumu off Road, 500 meters from Kakamega town. Bukhungu Stadium is opposite Kakamega Nakumatt supermarket and it is surrounded by part of the compound of Masinde Muliro University of science and technology (MMUST). You can also access the Bukhungu Stadium by foot from Kakamega town since it is a seven minutes walk.

Do you know how to swim? And if yes, would you like to teach your friends and relatives in Kenya how to swim? Teaching how to swim in Kenya might be quite hard especially when the person being taught is hydrophobic. This article is intended to help Kenyans on realizing the ideal aspects you need to consider when teaching another person how to swim.

a) You need to bring the swimming learner in Kenya to a point of overcoming the fear of water. This advice is only applicable if the learner is scared of water. If they are not, you can skip this step. In that case, you can start training the swimming learner from the shallow end of a swimming pool so they can appreciate the feel and the depth of water.

b) In order to avoid casualties during swimming training in Kenya, it is also necessary for you to show the swimming learner the key aspects they need to adhere to so that they do not drown. Make the Kenyan being taught how to swim understand that panicking would only lead to undesired results. In this step, you are seeking to build the confidence of the swimming learner.

c) Now let us get down to the actual swim session in Kenya. Most swimming experts in Kenya prefer that a leaner practices arm movements first. You need to demonstrate the arm movements to the learner and allow them to try it while you give positive criticism.

d) Once the swimming learner has mastered the use of arms in the pool, you can then take some time at the side of the pool just to practice kicking. In this case, the learner should hold onto the side of the swimming pool and then kick water using their legs. It is important to spend quite some time in this phase. Make sure you guide the Kenyan learner on how to kick properly so that they do not have many issues when they get down to actual swimming.

e) After the person learning how to swim in Kenya has mastered how to kick and make use of arms, you can allow them the first swim. Let them swim for shorter distances as you watch. Make sure you are doing this at the shallow end of the pool. These might just be the first strokes your friend or relative will be performing.

There are so many public swimming pools in Nairobi and in Kenya generally. If you have the interest in learning how to swim, its always advisable to approach a person who knows how to swim to teach you. Swimming in Nairobi can be done in such pools as YMCA, Nyayo, Kasarani and many other places. 

Learning how to swim is Kenya is that easy!

Swimming in Kenya is always viewed as a cool way to unwind especially during the warm, or rather hot months. Swimming is both a recreational activity as well as a sport in Kenya. It is particularly healthy for those who want to cut on the fat and maintain those albs, to swim often.

There are many swimming spots in Nairobi for those not advantaged to have swimming pools in the confines of their compounds. There are many stadiums in Kenya which are located near the town Centre that have swimming pools. For example, The Nyayo National Stadium along Mombasa road in Nairobi is one of the Olympic sized swimming pools in Kenya. Even better is that the entrance fee is only KSH 200. The Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani also has a public Olympic sized swimming pool along Thika road in Nairobi.

Most universities in Kenya have swimming pools in their compounds, case in point, Nairobi University and Kenyatta University. Students in these universities and their affiliate campuses are privileged to have rights to access without any fee. The YMCA swimming pool is located along State House road, opposite the University of Nairobi hostels. Students with valid Identity Cards of particular universities such as Moi University are also allowed to swim here at no cost.

There are many swimming facilities located in the city center too. Many of those fancy hotels located around Nairobi town also have swimming pools but at a relatively higher charge as compared to the public pools in Kenya. Serena Hotel in Nairobi, for instance has a heated pool which is ideal for the rather colder seasons. Fiesta in Nairobi too, located on Chester House, Koinange Street also has a more affordable swimming pool on its fourth floor giving you a panoramic of Nairobi’s downtown area.

You can also find swimming pool facilities in Meridian Hotel near Khoja mosque in Nairobi town for a rather affordable fee. To access these pools you have to have appropriate swimming wear. Swimming costumes and bikinis for the females and trunks for the men are the appropriate swimming wear in Kenya. For those who wish to take extra care of their eyes, it is advisable that you wear swimming goggles. Swimming caps to protect your hair from the harsh pool water chemicals are also available in most supermarkets and shops around Nairobi town. The costumes and goggles can be found in supermarkets in Kenya too.

Finally, for those who are not good swimmers, it is always advisable that you stay cat the shallow end. There you are almost guaranteed of safety and you are exposed to a lesser drowning risk as compared to swimming in the deep end. It is advisable that you have somebody accompany you to the pool even though all swimming pools have lifeguards on standby in Kenya in case of any mishap. For the good swimmers in Kenya, tips on where to locate pools in the city of Nairobi are there for you.

Enjoy!