By Tito Okuku and AJ Adholla Onyango

1992 saw the 15th Anniversary of Mean Machine RFC. This year was significant because it was largely the end of a transitional period – the ‘post-Rombo’ years they would call them – the years when Mean Machine would supposedly slide into rugby oblivion and mediocrity.

This was the period that would see “8-4-4s” begin to stake their claim to rugby glory and prove that one did not need an A-level certificate to qualify for donning the blue and white hoops. The reality is – those hoops were on their last leg, and those who did put up their hands at that stage did a valiant job of it. This lot amply proved that “it is not the size of the cat in the fight but rather the size of the fight in the cat” as the achievements of the next few years would show the rugby fraternity in Kenya.

Dr. George “Puff the Magic Dragon” Adul, Gimudah “Black” Gicheru and Dr. Frank “Papa” Aswani had considerable influence and played a crucial role in molding the next generation of young Bobo guys. Other characters of note during this period were burly front ranker Joe Gikuhi, Andy Wanjau, mercurial scrummy Eric “Shaggy” Mwangi, versatile prop Joe “Marura Tiger” Mutuku aka Tuku. Dr. Cliff Mbaya, Dr Zinzan Awori, Chiro Nyinge (Gimudah’s dark side), Madoc Otucho, Shaka Kwach, Maj Maurice “Just-give-me-the-ball!” Owende and Serge “Blanco” Ouko who all went on to play instrumental roles in paving the way for what was to become an exciting era when so much was realized and still so much went unachieved. Of course we cannot forget the spice and humor brought to the party by the erstwhile John “Jegzen” Musunga, “Breather” Ondieki, James “Jimmy Jam” Agin, and the ever-dedicated Peter “Piquet” Kamau.

1992 proved crucial because it was a gelling period for young blood and old hands – and this mix bore fruit within a very short period of time. By the onset of 1993, Mean Machine had re-built its playing philosophy around the anthem – faith, speed, try scoring, annihilation, trust, and pace setting.

Sammy Khakame assumed captaincy with the zeal it required, and with able soldiers like Toly Onyango, Andrew Lopokoiyit, Thomas “Tano” Opiyo, Dennis Timon, Paul “Pablo” Murunga, and Barry Eshiwani, Vincent Ochiel, AJ “Blige” Onyango, Victor Okhoya and Vincent Mauka. There were disappointments in losing the Kenya Cup to Nondies on the last day and defeat in the Enterprise finals to the same bunch, but this year saw the beginning of dominance in 7s rugby and displays of good work ethic mixed with entertainment. The unsung dedication of a wider group of players that include Ken Ouma, Johnny “Kill” Kilonzo, Collins “Torebobe” Nyaigoti, Sonny Macharia, Jake “The Snake” Thuo, Mumo “Mumz” Musembi, Anthony “Lambada” Lamba, Nyaribari Ondeyo, Phillip “John Less” Ohaga, Dr. Paul ‘Kat’ Kasili, George Masese, Paul Rodriguez, Trevor Mugwang’a, Reuben Amukobole, Steve “Tius” Odhiambo, Fanuel Odhiambo and Gilbert Makachia are also acknowledged. Of course the intellectual snipes from one Victor “The Pundit” Ohoya at training, from lacuna to hiatus et al were cherished times too!

Trips as in many other epochs were a great time! We all remember the Muhoroni Saga, a try-scoring AJ on the wing at Kisumu 10 aside, the re-birth of Sonny and the legendary 2 Minute Battle for the Stands at Nakuru 10s that was won by a very muscular Chairman on a crutch, wielding a frothing Texas Tornado-filled bull horn. Menacing stuff that sent young Nakuru upstarts fleeing from the bleachers. “All of you from here to there… GET OUT!!!”. And the rest is bobo history.

With the re-instatement of Mean Machine as Floodlight Kings, against a much fancied and “old” Barclay’s side in 1993, came the attraction of even younger blood (and chicks of course – though the post of captain continued to repel women!) and the re-birth of one O.V.T Arigi…. By the end of 1993, MM boasted having fielded a schoolboy in the late Ben “Bano” Opiyo in the Kenya Cup decider vs Nondies. Bano’s positive contribution and powerful displays on the wing opened the door to other player siblings who would go on to eclipse their elder playing brothers and add much welcome quality to our injury-ridden side. With players such as Sammy and Tolbert recuperating, a new halfback pairing in Ken Aswani and CD “Scoop” Onyango was born. Other fresh school leavers that added much flavor to the bobo squad were Andrew “Ndiri” Ondiek, speedy winger Humphrey “Owish” Owino, Michael Akali, Bida Oniang’o, Titus Ndung’u Kimani, Nicholas Macharia, Gabriel Okutoyi, Duncan Kiniti, George Kuria, Patrick Musuva, the Lwanya brothers and Anthony “Ng’ash” Ng’ang’a. There was promise in Robin Kung’u and his sidekick Adeka Edebe, though their off-field exploits became stuff of legends.

We want to especially recognize the brief though significant contribution of Andrew Njua. Andrew – you became a source of inspiration and focus. Thanks.

Memorable trips to Mombasa, “free rove”, Owish and Kibe Small exchanging fire (The Mwaura Escapades) and Okuku’s 50lt Fruit Wine Family Pack that was hauled 500km to Mombasa and was motivation enough for Machine to bag Driftwood 7s in 1994.

1995 had its lows as far as Kenya rugby was concerned. We witnessed the demise of Barclays Bank RFC and Stanchart – two clubs that we enjoyed giving a hiding and engaging in backchat at the bottom of rucks and scrums. The league was reduced to 4 teams competing for the Cup – including a weakened Nondies and was won by a three-team combination in the much-strengthened Harlequin side. To their credit while others wondered what next, they saw new blood to bolster their team. Mean Machine, by no doubt benefited from these goings on from the very start of the season.

This was the year that saw stalwarts sit out the floodlight finals while newcomers in Ger Mijoro, Steve “Ochuki” Gichuki, Rodney O’Okok, Sasha Ng’inja, Jimmy “Foggy” Kimbo, George “Speedy” Gachucha and Alloys “Mbeche” Odhiambo got stuck in to seal a hat trick of wins at the Impala knockout tourney vs an awe-struck KCB side. If you can recall, both Machine sides reached the semi-finals with our second team taking out a strong Stanchart side. One memorable moment was the end-to-end try that was typical of Machine’s slick ball handling and “shock-and-awe” approach. Kevin Matabutu and team – well done for the orgasmic display!

1995 was significant as well for 3 other reasons. We just missed out on the Kenya Cup on the final day after slugging it out with a resurgent Kenya Harlequins. The match lived up to its billing – tense, nail-biting, ill-tempered and entertaining. It was the kind of match that brought home what the love or hate of Machine really was. Another related reason was the walkout of Nakuru 10s, which all started with Ndiri’s lesson to Tony M’Mbarine of the Harlequam. Officials saw it fit to punish Ndiri harshly – reminiscent of Tolbert’s last minute suspension before our Kenya Cup decider at Parklands two years earlier. This time, though obvious contenders for Machine’s first taste of Great Rift glory, we pulled out and came back to Nairobi. Finally 1995 was significant for the witnessing of a gradual transition towards “outsourcing” of players. There has been a long-winded debate about this practice and we know its critics. But I will say this – times change, and we have to change with them. During this phase, Mean Machine started attracting possibly the best of schoolboy rugby, without a doubt, and the results spoke. What Impala, and later KCB, have achieved is a result of the same – backed with financial resources. Young “mercenaries” in transition gave their all and kept the name relevant, despite the presence of some old guards.

It is also worth mentioning that we showed our soft responsible side this year through our participation in Cleaning up the World with UNEP. Our responsibility to society and the environment was capped by doing away with Kenya Harlequins in a UNEP sponsored tournament. Didn’t we do the right thing?!

Before we finish 1995 – there is a moment of Machine mischief that will not go unsaid…the literal gate crashing of the Nakuru 10 aside bash. Never before have we seen an 8 man shove through a locked gate manned by whip-wielding askaris. Neither did we know that some backs could actually scrimmage with heads low. A good number of the culprits – identified by their bald heads – were apprehended and housed by the State that night. Well-done lads!

1996. The end of an era they say. We had stayed too long etc etc…. What puzzles us is that we were still bona fide students and were winding up our courses that year. It is possible that many critics did not realize this. We crowned it with the return of Pablo back to his old wing position. And there was no better place to make this statement than at the Floodlits. Ask Jobo ex-Machine and a Kulab player at the time.

And yes, we won that trophy again!

‘96 was a year of transition and there was a concerted effort to push the new generation up to the frontline. There had already been a mass exodus of players abroad, and now the old hands were also bowing out. Sammy Khakame had crossed to Quins and Ger was beckoning at Nondies. The tea parties (read Vodka binges) and singsongs had come to a close for many of us and we would have to ply our trade elsewhere. To be honest, we would never get those times back, those bobo times.

But enter Steve Gichuki and wave of determined young men …

Images courtesy of AJ Adholla Onyango + Arigi