Kenya's Kevin Wekesa in action during the Rugby Sevens World Championship play-off final match against Canada in Los Angeles on May 4, 2025.
When Kenya Sevens rugby star Kevin Wekesa Nyongesa was nominated in August for the Next Generation Trailblazer category at the Sport Positive Awards, an international recognition for athletes using sport as a force for environmental change, he was both humbled and inspired.
The Sport Positive Awards are hosted annually in London, and are organised by Sport Positive Limited, a UK-based NGO.
The awards are part of the broader Sport Positive Summit, which brings together individuals to discuss the role of sports in addressing environmental and climate challenges.
The nomination was more than just a personal triumph for Wekesa. It was a validation of a mission that stretches far beyond the rugby pitch.
“Personally, it is humbling to see my journey in rugby and sustainability recognised on a global stage,” he says.
Kenya Sevens player Kevin Wekesa (second right) plants a tree at Kianyaga High School in Kirinyaga County on November 4, 2024.
“Sports is indeed more than just performance on the pitch. It can be a tool for positive change in how we live, travel, and protect our environment.”
Wekesa’s environmental initiative, “Play Green”, started in 2023, was born from a sense of reflection and responsibility. As a professional athlete, he is acutely aware that his playing career has a short shelf life.
"Probably by 35, I'll stop playing rugby and be doing other things," he says.
But he believes the legacy he leaves behind should last much longer.
“I kept asking myself, what legacy do I want to leave beyond rugby? The sport has given me so much, and I wanted to give back — not just to my community, but to the planet.”
The idea of starting Play Green was inspired by thoughts of the next generation; the children who will grow up wanting to play rugby a decade or two from now.
“I wanted them to have a safe, competitive environment to play in,” he explains. “That is why I started Play Green, to bridge the gap between sports and sustainability.”
Launched among Kenya Sevens players, the Play Green initiative promotes eco-friendly practices in sports, from waste reduction, tree planting, and climate education to advocating for greener travel for sports teams. The campaign, initially concentrating on the Kenyan rugby community, has since attracted attention locally and internationally, positioning Wekesa as a voice of climate awareness in the global sports community.
Kenya Shujaa's Kevin Wekesa take on a French Renegade player during the Safari Sevens at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on October 11, 2025.
Balancing the demands of elite rugby with environmental advocacy might seem daunting, but Wekesa sees a natural connection between the two. For him, rugby and sustainability share the same foundation: discipline, teamwork, and consistency.
“The values I have learned in rugby guide how I live every day,” he observes. “Making eco-friendly choices is not separate from who I am as an athlete. Rugby teaches teamwork, discipline, and accountability. These are the same values that drive my environmental work.”
His nomination among global change-makers gave him a moment to reflect on how far Kenyan athletes have come.
“It is an honour to represent Kenya and rugby on such a stage,” he says proudly. “It shows that even people from the most vulnerable regions can be part of global conversations. This recognition brings credibility to Kenya and proves that our voices matter.”
Wekesa’s elite rugby story began in the Kenya Cup in 2020 with Kabras Sugar RFC, a team he had joined a year earlier, before earning his place in the Kenya Sevens team.
His journey has since taken him from local tournaments to the Tokyo Olympics, the HSBC World Sevens Series, the Rugby Premier League in India, and, most recently, the French Super Sevens League, where he turned out for Monaco.
Promoting climate awareness
“Each stage has taught me something new,” he says. “Kenya Cup built my basics, the World Series gave me exposure, and playing abroad has expanded my vision. It is proof that hard work pays off.”
Those experiences, he adds, have shaped not just his rugby career but also his leadership and advocacy.
“Every step has added a layer to who I am, not just as an athlete, but as someone who wants to make a difference.”
To Wekesa, sport remains one of the most powerful platforms for influence, especially rugby, which enjoys a passionate following in Kenya.
“Rugby Sevens has a huge fan base,” he notes. “That audience can be used to promote positive change. When fans see players taking action, they’re likely to follow. Change does not have to be big. Even small acts can inspire others.”
He believes athletes have a duty to lead by example, not only through their performance but through their values.
“In rugby, people respect values,” he says. “If players lead in promoting climate awareness, others will follow — from fans to children, even other sports communities.”
Having played in different parts of the world, Wekesa has personally felt the effects of climate change on athletes.
Kenya Sevens player Kevin Wekesa plants a tree at Kianyaga High School in Kirinyaga County on November 4, 2024.
“In Perth, Australia, we played in over 45°C heat. That is not safe or sustainable,” he recalls.
“In Hong Kong, the air quality affected performance. In Canada, we played in freezing conditions that limited training. Unpredictable weather affects how we train and perform.”
He believes such experiences show why athletes must be part of the climate conversation.
“We are on the frontlines. The changing climate directly impacts how we play, train, and live. That’s why sports need to be part of the solution.”
At just 25, Wekesa has achieved milestones many athletes dream of, but he remains driven by purpose, not accolades.
“I wouldn’t call it activism,” he says modestly. “My motivation comes from knowing I can inspire others. I want young players to see that it’s possible to excel on the field and still make an impact off it.
“My goal is to leave the game and the planet better than I found them.”
Through his initiative, Wekesa says he has so far planted over 2,000 trees.
To young sportsmen and women who look up to him, his message is simple: “Don’t separate who you are on the field from who you are off it. Sport gives you a platform; responsibility gives you meaning. Use your influence positively, whether it’s changing small habits or leading by example. The power of sport is immense. Let’s use it to inspire.
Beyond rugby and environmental advocacy, Wekesa is also a scholar. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology from the Technical University of Kenya, and he has completed short courses in data analytics and climate adaptation in Africa through Coursera.
“Education sharpens how you see the world,” he explains. “Engineering taught me problem-solving and structured thinking. These skills help in both rugby and environmental work. It’s made me a more rounded person.”
His technical background also shapes how he approaches sustainability projects with data-driven thinking and practical solutions.
“Academics taught me to look at challenges differently. That’s how I try to approach both rugby and Play Green — with structure, creativity, and purpose.”
Wekesa’s ambitions remain high.
“In rugby, I want to keep pushing myself to the highest levels, representing Kenya proudly and contributing to every team I play for,” he says. “With God’s grace, I hope to continue playing professionally abroad and make my country proud.”
He also dreams of expanding Play Green.
World Sevens Series debut
“I want to grow it beyond rugby to include all sports — first in Kenya, then across Africa, and eventually the world. The dream is to build partnerships that make sustainability a normal part of sport.”
He envisions a future where athletes are not just competitors, but leaders, individuals who influence how communities think about the planet.
“We have the influence; now we must use it wisely.”
Wekesa attended Central Primary School in Mumias and St Joseph’s Boys High School in Kitale before joining the Technical University of Kenya in Nairobi in 2019, graduating last year
Does he have a role model?
“In Kenya, I look up to Andrew Amonde and William Ambaka. Their work ethic and leadership are unmatched. Internationally, I draw inspiration from Siya Kolisi of South Africa and Maro Itoje of England. They have shown that sport can change lives and unite people.”
Wekesa made his World Sevens Series debut in 2022 under the guidance of Innocent “Namcos” Simiyu. He played the 2023 season under Briton Damian McGrath, experiencing both relegation and resurgence with the team.
Since then, he has featured in 22 HSBC World Sevens tournaments and proudly represented Kenya at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, South Africa.
“I’m excited to play in the HSBC SVNS 2 in 2026. I think the boys have now matured. Most of them had their debut season last year, and we are now a more experienced team. Our eyes are on that promotion to the Top 8.”
At the Sport Positive Awards 2025, Wekesa was nominated alongside Ben Hardy-Jones (The Desert Vipers), Emma Howe (Deloitte), Hamid Bouzit (Tibu Africa), Ioannis Konstantopoulos (University of Lausanne), Luigi Cordasco (Malmö FF), Rebecca Videlo (World Sailing), Sabrina De Angelis (Own Your Voice Academy), and eventual winner Logan Waddle (Penske Entertainment).
The Next Generation Trailblazer Award celebrates and recognises a standout young individual who has made a significant contribution to positive change and inspired progress in sustainability, climate action, biodiversity, or environmental justice within the sports sector.
The Sport Positive Awards is a global industry event. It celebrates and uplifts organisations and individuals leading the charge to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, and environmental justice.
Open to participants from across the global sport and sustainability sector, the awards spotlight efforts that use sport’s influence to drive change and inspire global action.
“At the end of the day,” says Wekesa, “I want people to remember me not just as a rugby player, but as someone who used his platform to make a difference.”
