By John Ohaga

Ken Kanyi was an instant hit at the University of Nairobi. Even as a first year he was able to relate very easily with other students. He won immediate selection to the Mean Machine first team and was, in 1987 selected to play for various representative sides against foreign teams culminating in selection to the national team for the 4th All Africa Games held in Nairobi in August-September 1987.

The following year Ken was elected chairman of Mean Machine and it was during his tenure in office that Mean Machine began its surge to the top of the Kenya rugby scene.

The following year, Ken was a senior member of the of the all conquering Mean Machine side, which included the likes of Austin Onyango, Edwin Obuya, Martin Ndeda, John Ohaga, Gordon Anampiu and Edward Rombo.

Later in 1989, Ken toured Zambia and Zimbabwe as a member of the Kenya Team. After a break due to work commitments, Ken resumed his rugby career in the 1992 season and was selected to the Kenya Team that was due to travel to Namibia later that year .

Ken Kanyi was known as Serge, a nickname given to him because his abilities were comparable with those of retired legendary French full back Serge Blanco.

Therefore, Ken’s sudden death on the rugby field is indeed tragic. It is pointless to say that he left a gap which is difficult to fill because nobody will be looking to fill it. No substitute can replace the Ken Kanyi that we all knew loved and respected.

We can only thank God for the gift of a personality who so enriched the very fact of living in the short period that he was alive.