Former KRU chairman pays glowing tribute to Sidindi

Impala Saracens utility back Richard Sidindi [Courtesy]

The Kenyan rugby fraternity was thrown into mourning on Monday morning with the news of the death of Impala RFC fullback Richard Sidindi after he drowned at the club’s swimming pool.

Sindindi who was a core figure of Impala RFC and the Kenya 7’s team drowned while doing his morning swimming training.

Rugby lovers have come out to pay tribute to Sidindi with former KRU Chairman Peter Kenneth Nduati being the first to do so with a lengthy message on social media that said:

“Nine years ago, I was Chairman of Resolution Impala Saracens Rugby Resolution Impala Saracens.

I was informed of a talented young rugby player who had graduated from Maseno University but didn’t not have a job and was selling sweets at Kondele Bus Park in Kisumu. I got his contacts and traveled to Kisumu.

When I met Richard Sindindi, I was impressed by his humility but most important, his ambition to succeed and his need to pull out his family out of poverty. I was then a Director of Armada Capital and I called @vivianmimano to get Richard a job in our IT department.

Innocent Simiyu agreed to offer his servants quarters to accommodate Richard as he settled in Nairobi.  Soon as he joined the club we learnt how versatile a player he was and he played in all backline positions from 9 to 15.

Everyone in the rugby fraternity called him Jadha or Jadha Power but I always called him Richard. Meanwhile his work ethic got him to grow to the position of IT administrator.  I last spoke with him on Saturday at Impala after he played against Homeboyz. Yesterday morning, I received the news of his death by drowning at the Impala pool and I still can’t believe he is gone.  Impala and indeed the entire rugby fraternity has lost a true son of the sport. Richard has also left a young family and a provider for his siblings. I have lost a dear friend. Fare thee well Sindindi...”

Impala Saracens utility back Richard Sidindi [Courtesy]

Sindindi who has left behind a wife and daughter, played for his club Impala RFC on Saturday during the Erick Shirley shield tournament.

On October 1, 2011, JKUAT Cougars lost their Captain James “Dibo” Nyongesa in a similar way after he drowned in a swimming pool in Mombasa during the Driftwood Sevens tournament.

Sidindi’s death is a huge blow to the rugby fraternity.