Why Humphrey Kayange is a rare gem

When a lanky lad walked into the Jamhuri Stadium to join Ulinzi Rugby Club many thought he would ideally play as a forward - preferably a lock - who was to jump during line-out set pieces.

They were mistaken. He was a backrow and had the pace, the flair, the tackle and most important the eye for the gap. Soon after joining Ulinzi, the military outfit was disbanded and Humphrey Kayange could not have found a better home than in Mwamba RFC in 2005. It is here that he launched a sterling career in the sport.

Under the guidance of legends and internationals such as Mwangi Muthee, Edward Rombo, Pritt Nyandat and Manuel Okoth, Kayange grew from a curious centre to a world beating, dependable pillar of Kenyan rugby.

Twelve years of international rugby in an amateur setting is exceptional. More than 150 tries for the country in the shorter version of the game is outstanding. Nurturing talent and seeing your siblings and many players grow in the game is a blessing.

Playing with Kayange was perhaps the best thing any player would have wished for. The opponents would curse all through the warm-up sessions because Tall, as Kayange is fondly referred to by his peers, is in the opposing team. The young man would make work easy for other players by taking the runs and making even unfit ones look good.

He made play making look simple, creating scoring opportunities and even the average players would get to the score sheet. Lastly, he always took the big tackles sparing other players the agony of being hit or run over. That was Kayange – a colossus on and off the pitch.

It is said rugby is a game of hooligans but played by gentlemen and Kayange was the epitome of this gentility. Clad in a bowtie and suspenders, he never discriminated or undermined. Little wonder his playing was a mix of coaching, wise counsel and big hits. From the lanky fella at Ulinzi, Kayange has grown to be Mwamba RFC’s and the country’s ambassador and big brand. Philosopher Aristotle quipped that the best characters are the most consistent. And it is this consistency that has been the hallmark of Kayange. Last season, during the Kenya Cup campaign he turned out to be the top try scorer and this season he was among the best in the sport.

His life has been consistent even in school. It is not easy to excel in many fields. But Tall has proven otherwise. Having undertaken an undergraduate science degree he got into employment in some of the country’s top corporations like Bio-Medica and KEBs his quest for knowledge did not end with the employment, he enrolled in University of Bristol where he graduated with a Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry – a rare gem indeed.

Little wonder President Uhuru Kenyatta honoured him with a state commendation – Order of the Golden Warrior. I was privileged to share a pitch, a changing room and a club with Tall and one word defines him – Legend.

As you take a bow from the international scene, Mwamba RFC is proud of its son and it’s time to continue ploughing back the years of sterling experience back to Kulabu and the country’s rugby development.