Kenya’s John Okoth cuts through the Spain defence on day one of the SVNS Grand Final at Stadium Civitas Metropolitano, in Madrid on May 31, 2024.
Menengai Oilers power forward John Okoth was easily the standout player for the Kenya Sevens side that superbly battled through the 2024 Challenger Series and relegation play-offs to return to the 2024/2025 World Rugby Sevens Series.
The success-hungry Kenya fans were looking forward to seeing the deceptively fast big fella mix it up with the very best in the World Series, but it was not to be.
Fresh from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Okoth appeared for Oilers in the National Circuit Kabeberi Sevens. As he embarked on one of his trademark long-range thundering runs, a sidestep on uneven ground sent him tumbling. He limped off the pitch, thinking it was just a simple case of a sprained ankle.
However, an X-ray revealed a fracture, and he had to undergo surgery, putting paid to his highly anticipated World SVNS Series debut.
He was away from rugby for 14 months before returning to lead Kenya’s second side, Morans, to a third-place finish at last year’s Safari Sevens.
He showed glimpses of his old self with some galloping runs.
He was duly named in the Kenya Shujaa squad this week for the inaugural World Rugby Sevens Division II Nairobi leg this weekend at Nyayo National Stadium.
Fidel Tonny tackles Menengai Oilers John Okoth during the Enterprise Cup semi-final match played at Nakuru Show Ground on March 15, 2025.
Kenya will play against the United States of America, Uruguay, Germany, Canada, and Belgium in the first of the three-leg series that will also take them to Montevideo in Uruguay and Sao Paulo in Brazil.
“It’s a duty I have to do diligently and with passion, no matter how many times I will be called upon,” said Okoth, who thanked Kenya Sevens management for the trust and honour. “I have really worked hard right from the stressful injury recovery to don the first team jersey again.”
The 24-year-old Okoth said that the whole team was focused on the task ahead -- to top SVNS II unbeaten and advance to the three-leg SVNS World Championships, where teams will fight for Division I places.
“It’s possible with the good structural changes I have witnessed in the team. The players’ game chemistry and understanding are top-notch, and they are much fitter than in 2024,” said Okoth.
The Oilers forward confessed that his rehabilitation from injury was difficult, but he had to stay disciplined and patient.
“Sometimes players want to rush and return to play only to exacerbate the injury,” said Okoth.
“I was really at the peak of my game when I got the injury and was so eager to be with the boys at the World Series. So, it feels great to be training with them again and eying another qualification to top flight sevens series,” said Okoth.
He revealed that former Kenya Sevens player Oscar Ouma is his local rugby idol.
“I have played alongside him, and I want to replicate what he did with Kenya Sevens,” said Okoth, who hails from a family bitten by the rugby bug. His younger brothers are also elite players, Philip Okeyo, who is his teammate at Menengai Oilers, and Joel Mboya, who features for his former club, Nakuru.
“I want to thank our fans worldwide for their immense support. Buying all the tickets available for the games is a statement enough,” said Okoth.
Kenya Shujaa's Patrick Odongo (left) charge past a Zimbabwean opponent during the Safari Sevens semi-final match on at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi October 12, 2025
Fans will be watching out for his long-range attack and sheer athleticism.
Meanwhile, Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi declared yesterday that Kenya was ready to host the Nairobi Sevens as the government unveiled its sponsorship of Sh100m for the event.
Mark Honeybunn, the head of World Rugby Sevens event planning and delivery, expressed his delight after the event sold out.
“This is an opportunity for Kenya to showcase its sevens rugby on the pitch, and a sellout crowd is an indication that the country can host major events in the future,” said Honeybunn.
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