Utility back David Nyangige is relishing a chance to wear the Kenyan colours when the country hosts 2026 World Rugby Sevens Division II tournament at Nyayo National Stadium on February 14 and 15.
His father Nyangige Mwangi had tried to have him focus on his education rather than playing rugby, but he found creative ways to stay in the game.
Nyangige had been introduced to Rugby Shamas Rugby Foundation by his elder brother, Moses Marwa, while both were in primary school.
“My father wanted us to focus on education and one would wonder just where he was coming from. I wanted to prove to him that I would excel in both rugby and academics, and I did just that,” Nyangige says.
After finishing his primary school studies at Genesis Joy Primary School in Nairobi, Nyangige's father sent him to Isibania Boys High School on the border of Kenya and Tanzania in 2019 to keep him away from rugby.
It ended all hope for Nyangige to join Upper Hill High School in Nairobi, Jamhuri High School in Nairobi, or Koyonzo Boys Secondary School in Kakamega. He knew these schools played rugby, and he had imagined himself one day playing rugby for any of them.
Kenya Sevens national rugby team Kevin 'Bling' Wambua after naming his squad for the 2026 World Rugby Sevens Division II tournament at RFUEA grounds in Nairobi on February 09, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
At Isibania Boys High School, he secretly joined the rugby team, but his father soon found out, and made peace with the reality. Shamas Rugby Foundation started paying his school fee.
On Monday, coach Kevin 'Bling' Wambua named the 19-year-old Impala RFC player in the Kenya Sevens team for the World Rugby Sevens Division II tournament that will be held this week-end at Nyayo National Stadium.
Nyangige, who played for Kenya’s second-tier team, Kenya Morans, at the Safari Sevens and at Zambezi Sevens last year, is the only rookie in Wambua’s squad of 12 players for the world event.
“It’s a dream come true for me. My father is now very happy for me. I hope to work extra hard to retain my place in the team. The country is yet to see the best in me,” says Nyangige.
“David was quite outstanding in the local series with Impala last year. He scored eight tries at Embu Sevens,” Wambua said of the player. “He is quite skillful, understands the game better and can play multiple positions, having gone through the age group.”
Wambua noted that Nairobi Sevens will be a good stage for the teenager to express himself further, having featured for Morans at Safari Sevens and Zambezi Sevens in Zimbabwe.
Before he joined Impala last year, Nyangige played for Northern Suburbs from 2022.
At the same time, Kenya Lionesses coach Simon Odongo has also called up two players in his squad of 13 for the tournament. They are Marvel Oswago and Charity Nilah. The duo featured for Kenya Cubs in 2025 Safari Sevens tournament.
Kenya Lionesses captain Sheila Chajira during a training session at RFUEA grounds in Nairobi on February 09, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
On Monday, the two coaches unveiled their squads at RFUEA ground. During the ceremony, Kenya Power Foundation patron, Logan Hambrick, presented a sponsorship of Sh3 million for the age-group championships at the Nairobi Sevens.
Wambua has retained the core of last season’s squad, with George Ooro and Samuel Asati keeping their armbands as co-captains. He will bank on the leadership of Vincent Onyala and powerful breaks from Kevin Wekesa, John Okoth and Nigel Amaitsa among others.
Enterprising Tony Onyango, Brian Tanga and Rayvon Ambale are among those missing the tournament through injury.
