Make way for new champs: Muhuri Muchiri determined to rewrite secondary schools history

MUHURI MUCHIRI SECONDARY SCHOOL Calvin Agwambo of Muhuri Muchiri Secondary School's Rugby team sprint during training session at the school grounds on 25 May. 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

It took the newcomers eight years to announce their presence with a maiden regional win.

When former Kenyatta University Blak Blad player Kikechi Kombo joined Muhuri Muchiri Boys High School as a teacher in 2009, few had any interest in playing rugby.

In fact, only a handful knew how to play the game. But driven by passion and determination, Kombo rallied students to test the waters. And with that, the school's first rugby team was born in 2009.

When this year's Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term Two A games begin at Shimo La Tewa in Mombasa next week, Muhuri Muchiri or 'Texas' as they are fondly known, will be fighting for the rugby sevens title.

The Nairobi Region champions are now focused on winning their first national title and qualify for the East Africa games to be held in Gulu, Uganda, in August.

They beat Nairobi School 31-12 in the regional final to win their first major title.

Tucked away in the small town of Ruai on the outskirts of Nairobi's central business district, they have proved that with discipline, hard work and dedication, success is a sure bet.

"It has been a tough journey full of heartbreak because my players could not match the likes of St Mary's School, Lenana School, Nairobi School and Strathmore," Kombo said.

Extra effort

"But, I encouraged and assured them that with extra effort, we could be the team to beat, and I'm glad it has come to pass."

The team had no playground for two years, but then Embakasi Ranching Company donated land in 2011, giving them a rugby pitch.

Victory did not come Muhuri Muchiri's way until two years after their inception, forcing Kombo to make an unexpected decision.

"Nothing was working so I decided to release all the Form Three and Form Four players because they were not adding any value to the team. Today I look back and there are no regrets because that was our turning point."

Fly-half Harmony Wamalwa said they had worked hard and could now enjoy the fruits of their labour.

"We have been working very hard and it is beginning to show. We also work hard in class because we want to achieve our academic goals as well," Wamalwa said.