This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
November 1, 2019 - Nairobi-born Collins Injera is Kenya's most successful rugby player, with an impressive 271 tries scored on the World Rugby Sevens Series. Born in Nairobi and raised in Eldoret, Injera's rugby journey began unexpectedly, when he joined Vihiga High School in 2001 with the intention of playing football.
However, his footballing dreams were short-lived, as he was drawn to a group of boys playing rugby on the side of the field. 'As I was leaving, I looked over on the other side of the field and I saw a small group of boys throwing around and kicking an oval-shaped ball. They welcomed me and I joined them and at the first touch of the ball, I was hooked,' Injera recalled in an interview with Maisha Magic East.
After completing his high school education, Injera joined Ulinzi rugby team in 2005, where his elder brother Humphrey Kayange was playing. Following the club's disbandment, he joined Mwamba Rugby Club, which he affectionately referred to as his 'home and family' for the last 13 years.
Starting off in division two, Injera's determination and hard work eventually led him to join the national team. 'Being called up to the national team really showed me something. It showed me that when you focus on the process, most likely the end result would be in your favour,' Injera said.
Unfortunately, Injera has been ruled out of the 2019 Africa Men's Sevens tournament due to a shoulder injury sustained during the Safari Sevens. The tournament, scheduled for November 8-9, 2019, in Johannesburg, South Africa, will feature 14 African teams, with the winner representing the continent in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
