Nyikuli: Rugby champion with the heart of a lion : The standard Sports

If you ask rugby fans what they think of Brian Nyikuli, many would heap praise on the former KCB Rugby Club back-row. 

Almost none would question his quality on the pitch with many aware of his commitment to not only the clubs he played for in the local Kenya Cup league but also to national teams; Kenya Sevens and Kenya Simbas.

After two decades of scrummage, tackling, mauling, sprinting and diving across the try line, Nyikuli finally hanged his boots laced with a golden touch of a true rugby champion.

From Kakamega High School to Impala Saracens, Kenya Harlequin to KCB to Kenya Simbas, Nyikuli has seen it all and won it all.

“I have dreamt, eaten and lived rugby all my life and it baffles me that after 19 years, curtains had to fall,” he said.

“I thank God for blessing me with the talent that has made me reach greater heights and for always pushing me to levels beyond my reach,” added Nyikuli during an interview with the Standard Sports.

The KCB back-row, who also played for Kenya Sevens, popularly known as Shujaa, called time on his successful rugby career spanning almost two decades last week.

“This has to be the second hardest thing to do after the passing of my mother in June 2020,” said Nyikuli.

Nyikuli played for Impala Saracens, Strathmore Leos, Kenya Harlequin and Homeboyz, besides captaining the Simbas between 2014 and 2017.

He won seven Kenya Cup titles with Impala Saracens, Quins and KCB Rugby.

“What kept me going is the parable of the sower in the book of Mathew. The three guys that were given talents, two multiplied but one stayed with it for fear of annoying the boss…what I got from that at an early age was once God has blessed you with any talent, its your personal responsibility to ensure you nature and grow it to a level that is better than how you started,” said Nyikuli.

Nyikuli praised his former school Kakamega High School and his former coach Ochieng Ahaya for discovering his talent.

“Ochieng Ahaya, you saw raw talent in me when I couldn’t even imagine playing the sport. Thank you so much for making great men out there that have sweat and bled for the country,” said Nyikuli, who also paid tribute to his first captain Paul “Pau” Murunga for pushing him beyond limit.

Born in a sporting family, (his sister Linda Nyikuli played for KPA and Eagle Wings and national team), Nyikuli’s journey in rugby started in 2000 when he joined Kakamega High School.

After secondary school education, the rugby star joined Impala in 2003 to 2009 where he won the Kenya Cup with the side in 2004 and 2009.

“We won two national 15s titles and one Sevens gong during the school games, which really exposed me to Kenya Cup scouts. Also, playing with the likes of Paul Murunga, Dan Wek and Moses Mukabane at Kakamega High helped me grow my game,” he said.

He briefly played in the Sevens season for Homeboyz in 2009 before crossing over to Kenya Harlequin in 2010 to 2012 where he also won the Kenya Cup crown with the club in 2011 and 2012.

Nyikuli joined Strathmore Leos in 2013 and played for the club until 2016 when he moved to KCB Rugby for his debut on November 11, 2017 against his previous club Homeboyz Rugby in the Impala Floodlight semi-finals.

Nyikuli won Kenya Cup titles with KCB Rugby; in 2018 and 2019 and missed 2017 and 2021 due to injury. He also captained Kenya 15s side the Simbas from 2014 to May 2017.

He led Kenya Simbas in the Africa Cup finals from 2014 to 2017.

Winning Africa Cup in 2013 and Vodacom Cup 2014 are some of the memorable times for Nyikuli.