Elkeans Musonye reveals secret to longevity in Kenyan rugby
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Reading Time: 5min | Mon. 12.01.26. | 17:04
Musonye became part of the Kakamega School rugby class that ruled the national stage, winning the KSSSA Rugby 15s national title three consecutive times between 2011 and 2013
In Kenyan rugby circles, the name Elkeans Musonye is synonymous with persistence, craft, and leadership.
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From his early days grounding himself in schoolboy rugby cultures to representing the national team and anchoring Menengai Oilers’ forward pack, Musonye’s trajectory reflects both personal ambition and the broader aspirations of Kenyan rugby.
Musonye’s rugby journey started in Mautuma High School, making his transition to Kakamega School, a renowned hotbed of competitive rugby that anchored his future.
After transferring from Mautuma High School, he walked into one of the most dominant school rugby environments Kenya has ever produced.
Musonye became part of the Kakamega School rugby class that ruled the national stage, winning the KSSSA Rugby 15s national title three consecutive times between 2011 and 2013.
The era cemented Kakamega’s reputation as a rugby powerhouse and exposed Musonye to a relentless winning culture built on discipline, brotherhood, and high expectations.
“Getting the chance to join Kakamega was pivotal; the school taught me a winning culture, brotherhood, and a desire to strive for excellence in rugby,” says Musonye, reflecting on his formative years.
Those early seasons instilled in him not just physical toughness but a mindset anchored in self-improvement and team cohesion. It was here that he began chiselling the player who would eventually step onto the international stage.
After finishing school, Musonye’s club career became a journey through Kenya’s premier rugby institutions. His stops - Western Bulls, Strathmore Leos, Impala, Kenya Harlequins, and ultimately Menengai Oilers were more than transfers on a CV. Each environment offered its own rugby culture, coaching philosophy, and social network.
“Different clubs have different cultural styles and modes of play, and this taught me to make connections with people outside the pitch but within the club’s atmosphere,” he said.
This exposure to diverse tactical systems and team dynamics expanded Musonye’s adaptability. More importantly, his experiences underscored how Kenyan club rugby, though fragmented and underfunded compared with global leagues, remains a fertile ground for developing well-rounded players.
A Dream Realised: Simba's Debut and the Challenge After
For any Kenyan rugby player, pulling on the Simbas shirt is the ultimate honour. Musonye made his international debut against Hong Kong in 2017, not just a date on a calendar but a fulfilment of a long-held aspiration.
“Representing the country was part of my plan while playing back in high school. The biggest challenge was how to continue to be a Simba up to date.”
That humility reflects Musonye’s grounding: breaking onto the international scene was only the beginning. Staying there, maintaining form, and adapting to the rigours of test rugby have been his ongoing tasks.
Musonye’s role for the Simbas has evolved. While often deployed in the back row or at number eight, his contributions are not just physical but cerebral.
“Leadership is a key role. For preparation, I try to put myself in a zone of no distraction… understanding the plays, getting my fitness on top,” explained Musonye.
This mindset reflects a mature competitor aware of modern rugby’s demands: mental preparation, fitness precision, and tactical awareness.
Challenges Beyond the Pitch
Rugby in Kenya remains a sport of passion, battling systemic constraints. Financial shortfalls and administrative instability have become recurring themes across media and stakeholder discussions.
Musonye acknowledged these realities without deflecting from his mission: “My biggest motivation is pushing hard to see the country qualify for the World Cup and brighten the future of rugby in the country.”
His focus on legacy, enabling opportunities for future generations, underscores how personal goals are interwoven with the sport’s larger growth.
Described by observers as a player driven by self-belief and hunger, Musonye stressed that mindset is not static.
“Hard work beats talent, have goals you want to achieve, and most importantly not to forget education.”
His emphasis on education alongside sport reflects a balanced approach: one where rugby ambitions are part of a broader life plan.
Club Highlights: Heartbreak and Hope with Menengai Oilers
One of the defining matches of Musonye’s club career came in the 2024/25 Kenya Cup final. Playing for Menengai Oilers, he scored a crucial try that brought the Oilers within a point of Kabras Sugar RFC before a narrow 27-26 loss.
“At the moment scoring the try, we needed to win this game at whatever cost, but the beauty with sports is there’s always a second chance, and we’re going all out this season.”
His resilience after that loss and Menengai Oilers’ continued competitiveness in Kenya’s top tier underscore the competitive edge Musonye brings to his club.
Musonye’s contributions extend to the international stage beyond his debut. In a May 2025 friendly against the UAE, he crossed the try line in Kenya’s dominant 54-24 victory, a result that helped sharpen the squad’s intensity ahead of more challenging fixtures.
Following that, the Simbas embarked on a high-performance tour to South Africa, facing teams that tested combinations and exposed players to higher levels of physicality. Musonye credited the tour with solidifying team cohesion and handling pressure, essential ingredients as Kenya prepared for the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya’s performance in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup was a mixed bag. After a win over Uganda, the Simbas fell to Zimbabwe in the semi-final and Algeria in the third-place playoff, ultimately missing out on qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Musonye’s reflections were grounded in realism and urgency: “Start early preparation, exposing players to high-performance training.” This is a blueprint not just for qualification, but for sustainable competitiveness.
As Kenyan rugby looks toward the next qualification cycle, Musonye stands as both a spearhead and a steward of the sport’s culture. His journey from high school pitches in Kakamega to fronting Menengai Oilers and carrying national ambitions is emblematic of the resilience and hope pulsing through Simbas rugby.
Musonye’s story is unfinished, but it already offers a roadmap of discipline, community, and relentless pursuit, a testament to a player striving to elevate not only himself but the sport he represents.
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