Tall, with youthful manifestation, perfect physique for a number 15, speed and an equal green eye for committing to big tackles. Greedy for the high ball, sticky hands and endowed with jaguar confidence on his boot. He was a multi-sport character in Preparatory school, a quality he carried to High School. He effortlessly fitted into basketball, soccer and rugby and at one point was Captain for all these indulgences. Ian was a perennial sneaker in Preparatory School, skiving class in order to attend the High School rugby team’s matches in a spectator’s capacity. At that time, Preparatory pupils were not allowed the privilege of watching the senior teams compete. Rebellious Minjire would always break this rule; his love for rugby surpassed the punishment looming thereafter. He always asked the Senior School rugby enthusiasts to hide him in their spectator thicket enabling him to partake of the forbidden fruit- watching senior school rugby matches. Hunger for recognition quickly morphed into pangs of desire. After clearing from the preparatory section, with impressive grades, Ian joined the High school fold. It is here that he was made captain of the under 15 rugby team and just like any other rookie, had to fight for a spot on the main team. Strathmore School had won the St. Mary’s School hosted Blackrock after crashing through the Rift Valley Academy in 2008, and his entry into the main team in 2009 meant a heap of expectations. A continuation of the legacy left by Blackrock 2008 MVP Joseph Kimeu would not be sustained, a post-match drop goal decider against Upper Hill School relegated the former champions to the 1st runners up slot in the 2009 championship. In 2010, Ian was appointed captain of his school team and diligently led it into the Blackrock finals. Here, he would not only lose to arch rivals- St, Mary’s school but also sustain a shoulder joint tear. ‘I was sad about not being able to play Prescott, but I was elated after the school administration recognized me as the sportsman of the year. It was a bitter sweet feeling in my gut, finally, I had been offered the honor of an engraving in the school plaque alongside superstars like Daniel Adongo’, he reminisces.
Ian loves rivalry, his choice of club rugby teams was going to be made between the Impala Saracens and the Lunch Bar Quins. He chose the Impala Saracens and was not handed a wild card into the main team. He remembers those days when he played alongside current Impala Saracens and Simba XV scrumhalf – Robert Aringo in the 3rd team. ‘We had to fight to get to the main team, I am glad I made it’, quips a brightly lit Ian. Coach Bill Githinji recognized his raw talent and worked together with him, raising him to the ESS league and soon, he was playing for the Kenya Under 19 team in 2011. It was during the Impala Saracens vs Kenya U19 friendly match that Ian’s plug sparked. He made a huge try saving tackle on Innocent Simiyu and kicked over a penalty that won the match for the youngsters. His rugby star was shining, and in November 2011, was selected to tour Singapore. This was repeated in 2012. In 2013 he received a Kenya-C 7s call up for the CAR 7s tournament in Mombasa, where he played alongside an established icon of the game- Vincent Mose. He has caught the eye of the Kenya rugby high table including Charles Ngovi as well as other foreign coaches.
When I ask him about how rugby has affected his Civil Engineering Studies at JKUAT, Ian retracts and remembers that he has had numerous ‘fights’ in his mind as well as with his family. ‘I try strike a balance, I understand the need for academics and cannot underestimate the need to concentrate on both. It has been a good run, I believe I can handle the pressure that each brings’, asserts a sure Ian.
He talks fondly of his mentor, whose number 15 Jersey he has since found warmth in.
‘Mose has proven to me that bulk is not really necessary in the sport. With his lean frame, he has managed to play for the national team and his confidence at the back is astonishing. He has been an inspiration’.
Willy Ombisi had this to say of Ian, ‘Minjire has been very consistent, he stepped up against Mwamba and we hope to see him turning the pistons against KCB in the Enterprise Cup Semifinals to be played on 29th March 2014 at the Impala Saracens grounds.