‘I started off as a flanker, then in my last year (2013) at Ol Kejuado High School, moved to prop. Can you believe I was one of the biggest in my school?’, inquires the kinky – haired loose forward who is currently carving a name for self. He wears an air of youthful exuberance, that kind you normally find in 20 year olds, only that he wears it with tonnes of confidence.
The 4 years in some little known school in the South Rift served to mould him and ultimately book him a future date with some of the the best Academy coaches. They are the side-stepping Kenya A – XV scrumhalf – Samson Onsomu & former Kenya International prop – Stephen Juma.
‘At OlKejuado, we never thought of ourselves as a team fit enough to go against the big names. But as they say, life is a journey and it is a little surprising that some of the best in High School are no longer the celebrities in club rugby. You have to make decisions. Hard decisions. There exists immense fun to indulge in, but every time I remember my trip to Zimbabwe in 2015 with Chipu ( Kenya’s U19 side coached by Paul Odera), I regain focus. You have to hit the weight room, flip tyres, watch your nutrition, constantly work on your alertness during play & sacrifice momentary niceties for final gold.’
Shammah in past action against Top Fry Nakuru RFC
The 20 year old whose demeanor off the turf can be likened to a calm pond, however understands how to switch on the storms on the field of play. His most notable awards include 2 Mwamba Cup Division II wins, A Nairobi Nationwide (currently Championship) win, Kajiado 7s top silverware (2014) an Eric Shirley Shield Cup win and most recently the unforgettable Kabeberi 7s Main Cup.
‘I admire Duncan Ekasi’s leadership, I always wonder if I will ever play like him at that age. His consistency challenges me to amazement. My most dreaded moment would be rising up to come face to face with former Homeboyz backrow – Joshua Chisanga (Currently at NewCastle Falcons in the UK). He might just come back to find a formidable flanker in me’, he asserts.
Coming through the Standard Chartered Impala Rugby Academy and rising up to the Resolution Impala Saracens has not been a journey full of empties. He has secured the Club’s interest to pay a part of his tuition fees at Zetech College where he studies Business I.T.
‘I want to win one or more Kenya Cup trophies with the team. I mean, we lost last season at home under torrential rainfall. That image of despair with rivers of rainfall running along our foreheads is still vivid. But I have been keen with the weather forecast this new season & it might not rain. No rain means one thing…’, he concludes.
