How the years fly past. Just the other day ‘92, I was a fresher during the 15th anniversary; now it’s already the 20th, all unbelievable. As captain, 1992-93 I took over a Machine in a state of flux, enough of the older players had already hung up their boots and a big number of the present were demoralized. This was quite understandable coming out of a bleak two years, 1991-1992, when all the trophies could be counted on one hand. So for me ‘93 was to be a year for serious rebuilding and consolidation to bring the Machine back to be “De Best”.

We started ‘93 with a reduced playing outfit such that we could only field one team during the Impala floodlights. Building the team round a core of very talented young players including: Thomas ‘Tano’ Opiyo, Tolbert, Lopokoiyit, Timon, supported by a number of older players like former captain Aswani, Adul, Shaka, Okuku and Mark Awori. We easily clinched the floodlight tourney overcoming a strong Barclays side in the final. To crown it, Khakame was voted MVP of the tournament. This set the stage for four consecutive wins at the tourney, i.e. ‘93-’96.

After floodlights, the numbers were back at training, the girls were back so were the inevitable acrobatic fans who follow the girls and a winning outfit. We continued in the time honoured machine trend of displaying a sleek handling game, fast and hard running including superb organisation on the pitch that was the envy of everyone.

Soon after came the Easter Blackrock, where unfortunately we lost to Barclays but made up by winning the Christie Sevens emphatically shutting out Barclays 42-7 in the final. Tano was voted best player of the tournament.

A great addition to the team was a fresher, Gabby Okutoi, who at 6′5” was God-sent to our line up. From then there was no stopping us, as was evident by our demolition of Nondies at the campus before they were saved by the referee, Jim Parke awarding them a penalty try with three minutes to go after a brilliant cover tackle by Tano at the corner flag, final score 19-19. We run over all other teams including putting 60 over Impala.

The same year was the Four Nations pre-qualifier world cup tourney played in Nairobi. Namibia, Zimbabwe, Arabian Gulf and Kenya took part. The bulk of the national team was made up of former and present Machine players including, captain Austin ‘Kosero’ Onyango, Oliver ‘OC’ Khabure, Absaloms ‘AB’ Juma, George ‘puff’ Adul, Sammy Khakame, Thomas ‘Tano’ Opiyo, Gordon Anampiu and others. Kenya ended up third behind Namibia and Zimbabwe.

After the qualifiers in July, the Kenya cup decider was between Nondies and Machine at Parklands. We were only 80 minutes away from being crowned champs, but alas, a thoroughly disorganized Union interfered. On the big day, a letter drafted by the disciplinary committee chairman suspending Tolbert Onyango for four weeks was delivered to us at 11.30am, vice-chairman Tom Oketch was at Parklands and made sure Tolbert did not play; plus with Steve Clark as referee we lost that game including the Kenya Cup.

We picked ourselves up and won the Kabeberi memorial sevens at Railway Club giving Impala a hiding in the finals. Final score 42-0. The ninjas captained by Fred ’sonny’ Macharia won the plate competition overcoming Watts in the final. We took part in the Kisumu “ten a side” where we bowed out during the semi-finals due to injuries and the bad condition of the Kisumu pitch. We also took part in the season ending grand slam, where we came cropper against Nondies, 12-10 final score.

At the end of the year, we held a superbly organized dinner attended by deputy Commissioner of Sports, Mr. Tirop where Tano was awarded the “Edward Rombo Trophy” for being the top try scorer. Sonny Macharia was named Most Improved Player, Tolbert was named Most Valuable Player and Khakame named Most Consistent Player.
1993 was the renaissance of Machine and I am happy to have been involved and to have had the great honour of leading this great side. The ‘93 Machine produced the likes of Tano, Tolbert, Pablo, Timon, Lopo and Khakame who are now national team regulars.

I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to the various officials who helped me in the running of Mean Machine. These were: Chairman Gimudah, Secretary Tano, Treasurer Chiro Nyinge, and my trusted vice captain Tolbert, other committee members, Shaka, Awori, Lopokoiyit, Aswani and A J Blige. And also to the individual players who stuck with me throughout a long hard and very exciting rugby season. You helped make it memorable for me.

Finally, a special mention for Andrew who got a spinal injury during training. Still always in our hearts and minds; hang on in there. To the present Machine and all ex-machine I congratulate you on this occasion of Machine’s 20th anniversary.

I give you “De Best” past, present and future.