Former Kenya rugby player Ger Mijoro dies in USA
US-based Kenyan former rugby player Ger Mijoro.
What you need to know:
- During his career Mijoro played as winger for KCB, Mwamba RFC, Mean Machine, Kenya Harlequin and Nondescript.
- Former international Ken Thimba also recalled playing alongside Mijoro at Quins in 1994 before he moved to Nondies.
Ger Mijoro who played rugby for Kenya's Under-23 team as well as several local clubs in the Kenya Cup league is dead.
Mijoro, who was based in the US, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday night in Washington, his sister, Michele Harrell confirmed on Friday.
During his career Mijoro played as winger for KCB, Mwamba RFC, Mean Machine, Kenya Harlequin and Nondescript.
He started his career with Mwamba RFC’s junior side before moving to KCB in 1989.
His former team mate, Sadik Makii, said they both played at KCB for two seasons - in 1989 and in 1990 - before Mijoro left to join the University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine.
Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup titles
“Mijoro’s contributions to Kenyan rugby, both on and off the field, will be remembered with gratitude and admiration,” Makii said on Friday.
Mijiro went on to play for Mean Machine as he studied at the University of Nairobi before moving to Kenya Harlequin in 1994 for a season. He left for Nondescript in 1995 just as the team was rebuilding.
He joined Nondies alongside Tito Okuku, Tolbert Onyango, Shaka Kwach, Thomas Opiyo, Andrew Lopokoit, Andrew “Ndiri” Ondiek, Albert Onyango, Kennedy Aswani, and Paul “Pablo” Murunga.
“He was part of the national under-23 teams that I coached in 1995. News of his death is shocking,” said former Kenyan international and coach Michael “Tank” Otieno, who also played for KCB.
Mijoro, who was popularly known as ‘Caesar’ in local rugby circles, was a member of the Nondies side that won the Kenya Cup in 1997. He won both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup with the team in 1998. That is the last time Nondies won the two championships as Mijoro relocated to the USA in 2000.
Shocking death to the family
Former international Ken Thimba also recalled playing alongside Mijoro at Quins in 1994 before he moved to Nondies.
“We played together for Kenya Scorpions at the inaugural 1996 Safari Sevens at the RFUEA ground,” said Thimba, also a former Kenya Simbas head coach.
Mijoro, who was also known as Caesar, was in Nondies side that won the Kenya Cup in 1997 and would go on to seal a double in 1998, winning both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup.
Mijoro’s sister Michele Harrell, said on her Facebook page that the death of their first born brother has shocked the family.
“Caesar tried his best in this world. He carried so much with quiet strength, with softness, and with a heart that always longed for peace. His passing has left us devastated and struggling to make sense,” said Harrell.
Harrell said as the family navigates the deep and unexpected loss, they will hold tightly to the memory of a soul whose kindness will forever echo in their lives.
