Erick Mutaki Kerre has managed to build a name for self in only 5 years. Having grown in the Rift Valley on a farm, he never knew one move would change his life completely. He is an absolute natural. Has the height, the weight, the skill and mindset required to make it big. In this interview, he shares his journey to the Kenya XV with us. At the end of this interview, you will notice that he is playing a huge role in building the next Kenya XV at only 23
Can you recall the early days?
I started at Kiboko Primary School in Delamere Farm from nursery to class four then moved to Mbogo primary school for class five and six in Elementaita on the same Delamere farm then did my class seven and eight in Western Kenya at Sosio RC primary school.
When did you first encounter a rugby ball?
I Joined Friends School Kamusinga. I cleared from Kamusinga in 2012.
Have you played at lock all your life?
I started as eighth man in form two, moved to the wing 11 & 14 in form three and four then Lock and Backrow at Impala.
Did you have to wait ages like other players have before making it to the Gazelles side?
I joined the club in November 2012 just after completing high school and made the Kenya cup side as Lock (5) that played Nakuru RFC over the weekend. The full-time score 15-15, wasn’t actually a bad debut keeping in mind that Nakuru were the defending Kenya Cup champions at the moment.
Are there figures within Impala that helped you achieve your first breakthrough?
Nicholas Abok has proven to be a very good scout for Impala. He observed me play in High School & selected me to join Impala. Innocent Simiyu, the current Kenya 7s coach inspired me to heights never seen before. I cannot forget to mention Davis Makori who weaned me out of the high school way of playing at lock to understanding where I need to be and at what time. To date, Davis is like a big brother to me.
Are there events that you won’t forget during your rugby career?
Namcos did a lot to me as a coach. Competing at the Kenya Cup level needed me to sharpen my skills very quickly. He not only assisted me in being able to dissect plays, but also worked with me in building a positive mindset. I can never thank him enough for one thing he did in 2012. He bought me my first pair of rugby boots & they were quality!
Are there any accolades you brag about without abandon?
I have only won the 2016 edition of the Impala Floodlit tournament
More about Kerre
Erick Kerre made his Kenya XV debut against Uganda Cranes last year in Kampala Uganda. Kenya XV won 48-10. He went on to tour the world with Kenya XV, first to Rio De Janeiro in Brazil where Kenya won 18-17. He also featured in Jerome Paarwater’s team that beat Zimbabwe 61-15 but fell 21-56 to Namibia in Windhoek. He has become a Kenya XV regular and played in the Kenya XV side that beat Uganda 45-24 in the return leg of the Elgon Cup and went on to win 34-10 against HongKong. He has become an important part of the Impala Saracens Rugby community. While he is not with the Kenya XV, he is doing admin duty at the Standard Chartered Impala Saracens rugby academy together with Impala/Kenya XV scrum-half Samson Onsomu & former Kenya Lionesses player – Mary Otieno. The success of the Academy can not be matched by any other in Kenya at the moment. We foresee him playing with the Kenya XV for many years to come. He has been named to play at blindside flank in the Kenya XV starting squad that goes head to head with Germany this Saturday 26th May at the RFUEA.