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The Nairobian

More Kenyans Fly into London to cheer Injera and Team

Rugby

By John Lawrence in London | May 22, 2016

While Kenya Rugby Sevens were fighting for a slot in the Main Cup quarter finals against France in their final Group D match at the London Sevens, Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi flew over Twickenham Stadium.

Very few Kenyans in the stadium noticed the rare coincidence when the country's National Carrier and National Rugby Sevens kit sponsors plane passed just above London's iconic rugby stadium.

The distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Twickenham Stadium is barely 7miles and every plane landing at England's major international airport along Hillingdon, London, can clearly be seen by anyone on the grounds.

But as the local lost 12:29 to France, the plane carrying over 200 Kenyans touched down LHR to cheer the Kenya sevens team. The numbers were evident on day two of London Sevens. Unlike Saturday when Kenya's opening match was played with only a handful fans in the stadium, Sunday saw a great representation by visiting, traveling fans and the diaspora Kenyans. By 9:00am, Kenyans were already in the stadium waiting for the first series day two match at 9:30am.

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"It was proud to see very many Kenyans supporting and making it Kenya," said Chris Diaz, Kenya Airways Marketing and Communications Director.

"It has been a busy weekend; we got many bookings on KQ and sales of team's official replica jerseys soared and continues to be in high demand at the London sevens series too," he added.

Kenyans living in the UK too were not left behind. From the busy streets in Twickenham town to the stadium, one could not go without spotting a Kenyan flag, Kenya Sevens shirt or just a group of two to four people speaking the beautiful Kiswahili language.

The not so religious Britons too woke up to a rude shock on Sunday as a number of local churches in Twickenham experienced a surge in Numbers. UK based Kenyan Rugby Legend Lucas Onyango who drove all the way from Manchester to cheer the World beaters described Kenyan spirit at the games as breathtaking.

"It has been long since we met as Kenyans just for one common cause. Once more, we will rally behind the boys today as we prepare to make history again at the Olympics. I am confident that Benjamin Ayimba will shock the world in Rio," Onyango told Standard Digital.