Why Oloo will be remembered as a true legend of Kenyan rugby

As the burial arrangements of the former Kenya Lionesses head coach, Felix Oloo, continue, many Kenyan rugby enthusiasts have described him as a true legend of the gentleman's game.

This is owing to his contribution to the development of the sport both at the club and national levels, as well as his service in different capacities on national and international assignments.

Born 37 years ago, as Kenya and the world mourn him, youngsters who got the passion of the game from Oloo will in all of their lifetimes remember the fallen legend as the one who kept them afloat in their careers as players and future coaches of the game.

Oloo is one of the brains behind the success of Nakuru RFC Age Grade Academy after its initiation in the early nineties by the then Nakuru management.

Oloo picked it up in 2011 after completing his college education.

The academy is among the few in the country committed to developing meaningful talents at a tender age (10 years) as they grow up the ranks to become future internationals on their way to the paid ranks.

A perfect example is Kenya Lionesses international fly-half Grace Adhiambo Okullu, who plays for Racing 92 of France in the French Elite 2 competition, where she’s enjoying a distinguished professional career.

Before her trip to Paris in 2025, Okullu previously played for the Japanese club Nagato Blue Angels on a six-month contract in 2023.

“Being a female rugby player demands discipline and courage, and I have learnt never to give up despite being in school, training, and travelling. Even at my breaking point, I kept pushing because of my love for the sport, knowing that persistence can open doors I have never imagined,” Okullu had said in a past interview.

Okullu is one of the beneficiaries of Oloo’s work, who was a teacher by profession. 

In his teaching days at New Life School, a mixed primary institution in Nakuru, Oloo injected lots of rugby love into his pupils and introduced them to the game.

These pupils then competed in age-grade competitions at the annual Great Rift 10-a-side and Prinsloo Sevens Championships at Nakuru Athletic Club.

At the end of it, some of them emerged as outstanding players and have grown up the ranks to play for Nakuru RFC and other Kenya Cup teams.                                                                                 

Former Nakuru RFC deputy coach and Oloo’s childhood friend, Jotham Owili, termed him a dependable rugby teacher who was very passionate in his work, and hence replacing him is a tall order.

"Oloo catapulted the standards of Nakuru Age Grade Academy to higher levels never witnessed before after the efforts of pioneer coaches like former Nakuru international Max Muniafu,” Owili told Standard Sports.

According to Owili, some of the best products who graduated from the hands of the fallen rugby legend are the Okoth brothers, John and Philip, who play for Menengai Oilers.

Oloo’s talent in rugby goes back to his high school days at Nakuru Day Secondary School, where he was a key player of the institution.

The institution has produced many talented players, like former Kenya international fly-half and current Menengai Oilers head coach Gibson Weru.

Oloo’s exemplary performance led to him being appointed the head coach of the national women's sevens side, Kenya Lionesses, by Kenya Rugby Union in 2019.

He guided Lionesses to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Japan after overcoming their African opponents in their continental qualification rounds and finals.

KRU described Oloo as a respected rugby coach recognised for the development of grassroots rugby talents and the growth of women’s rugby in the country.

"Oloo enjoyed a long playing career with Nakuru RFC spanning approximately 15 years (2003–2017), where he was part of successful squads that secured Kenya Cup titles in the 2012–13 and 2013–14 seasons besides winning the Enterprise Cup and other domestic competitions, including the Bamburi Super Series," KRU said after his demise on Monday.

Oloo's belief and excellence in how he did his work at the club and national/international levels earned him several accolades.

As a result, Oloo became one of the coaching staff at Ottawa Barrhaven Scottish Rugby Football Club in Canada in April 2022, a job he held until his death on May 4, 2026, following a tragic road accident in the USA.

According to KRU, Oloo built a strong reputation both on and off the field through his leadership and commitment to the sport.

And for Owili, Oloo was a brilliant coach whose amount of work he involved himself in cannot be achieved by any of the current coaches in the near future.

“He dedicated more of his time to coaching the underprivileged children in this academy after completing his college education. None of us can measure up to this concept,” he stated.