PHOTOS: Kabras Sugar plant over 500 trees

Kabras Sugar RFC captain Dan Sikuta (right) planting a tree at Ileho in commemoration of the Kenya National Tree Planting Day. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

Kabras Sugar Rugby Club on Wednesday planted over 500 trees in the surroundings of Kakamega County to commemorate the Kenya National Tree Planting Day.

Led by head coach Mzingaye Nyathi and captain Dan Sikuta, Kabras Sugar players visited Ileho Division in Shinyalu Constituency, Kakamega East where they planted trees in schools and churches to help stop climate change.

Speaking to The Standard Sports, Kabras tactician Nyathi said the club took pride in planting trees, especially with no rugby to play after the suspension of sports last month due to COVID-19.

Nyathi said Kabras are not only concerned about winning and impressing their fans in the pitch but they are also concerned about the future generations and the long term well-being of the surrounding community in Kakamega.

“Firstly, we all need a global perspective on issues that affect our humanity and tree planting is important in the fight against global warming. We must, therefore, act locally in this fight,” said the Zimbabwean born coach.

Kabras Sugar RFC players with tree seedlings at Ileho in commemoration of the Kenya National Tree Planting Day. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

“As for the club, the players are young and bringing awareness on such matters is important in that we not only coach rugby players but young men who will be relevant participants in matters that impact all of us. It's also fun to be out of town and having a different activity to do with no rugby.”

Kabras planted 200 trees at Chirobani Primary School before proceeding to plant 60 more seedlings at St Vincent Chirobani Catholic Church.

The 2016 Kenya Cup champions then planted 45 trees at Itumbu PEFA Church before closing out the day at Ileho Primary School where they planted 200 more tree seedlings.

Kabras captain Sikuta said they were more than happy to meet as a team and try to help improve the environment by planting trees.

Kabras Sugar RFC scrumhalf Brian Tanga planting a tree. [Washington Onyango, Standard]

The Kenya Sevens star said their target is to plant at least 5000 trees at this time there is no rugby to play.

“The players have been hurting with the suspension of sports again this year due to Covid but today we decided to channel the pain in trying to give back to the community by planting trees,” said the Shujaa lock.

Coach Nyathi added that players are bored at the lack of rugby and they can't wait to get back to play when the Kenya Cup resumes.

“We have not been advised as to what the plan is going forward nor when the season will resume. The team is in good spirits; bodies are fresh as the medical team has had time to work on those that had injuries. Individualized gym and running programmes have been given for players to work on in their time. When we get directives from the national government or KRU, we will plan from there,” added Nyathi.

Kabras Sugar were at the top of the 2021 Kenya Cup standings with 15 points same as KCB when the topflight league was temporarily suspended as a measure of preventing the surging cases of Covid-19 cases in the country.

Kabras Sugar were at the top of the 2021 Kenya Cup standings with 15 points. [Washington Onyango, Standard]