While trophies often define a rugby club’s success, MMUST RFC have quietly built something even more valuable, a production line of elite talent that continues to shape Kenyan rugby.
From Kabras RFC to KCB, Menengai Oilers, Nakuru RFC, Nondescripts and even overseas, the fingerprints of MMUST and head coach John Asila are evident across the game.
The club based in Lurambi, Kakamega county, under Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, university side may have endured promotions and relegations in recent years, but its greatest victory has been producing players who continue to shine for Kenya Cup giants and on the international stage.
At the heart of that success is head coach John Asila, whose philosophy has transformed MMUST into one of Kenya’s premier rugby talent factories.
Speaking exclusively to Two5four, Asila said seeing his players secure better opportunities is the ultimate reward for the work done at the club.
“Basically for me that’s a big progress since they have gone to look for something to build their lives. They are our boys and part of the team forever. Rugby is about building someone’s life. We take it positively so long as part of the bargain for the clubs picking them is honoured,” Asila told Two5four.
Among the club’s most successful graduates are Eric Cantona and Griffin Chao, who have become integral members of record Kenya Cup champions Kabras RFC, helping the Sugarmen win multiple domestic titles.
Kenya Shujaa Olympian Lamec Ambetsa also made his name at MMUST before joining Kabras in 2021, during his stay, Ambetsa won three consecutive Kenya cup titles and two Enterprise cups before completing a move to Nondescripts RFC last season.
Another product is Kenya U20 international forward Andycole Omolo who earned a transfer to KCB Rugby before recently securing a professional opportunity in Japan.
The club’s latest export is long-serving captain Veron Kaburu and co-captain Collins Ngoko who have since joined Menengai Oilers and KCB respectively in the just concluded Kenya rugby transfer window while Cyprian Ombaso has developed into a key player at Nakuru RFC.
MMUST’s reach extends beyond Kenya, with former player Samuel Mbeche currently featuring for Rugby Klub 03 in Germany and Timothy Mmasi who plies his trade in America with New York Old Blue rugby club.
While celebrating their success, Asila admits every departure comes with mixed emotions.
“It’s a mixed emotion when these players leave. Ngoko and Veron have been here for long. We have built a family. We are always proud of them as an institution and always wish them the best so long as what they are going for is better than what we are giving them, like a better salary or job opportunities,” he said.
Despite regularly losing some of his best players to bigger clubs, Asila has no intention of changing his recruitment model.
Rather than chase established names, he prefers identifying and developing raw talent.
“It’s a strategy for me. These guys we are signing are future big names. That’s what we do at MMUST. We invest in them and train them. In fact, I always say I want all clubs in Kenya to have players from MMUST Rugby,” Asila told Two5four.
Attention has now shifted to the National Sevens Circuit, where MMUST will once again field a youthful squad despite the departures.
Asila remains confident his side can compete with the country’s best.
“We are rebuilding. The boys have been working very hard and we are going to compete. Nobody should write us off.”
Founded in 2009, MMUST RFC earned their maiden Kenya Cup promotion in 2021, spending three seasons in the top flight before being relegated at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
The university side bounced back with promotion ahead of the 2025/26 season but were unable to retain their status after suffering immediate relegation.
Yet despite the setbacks, MMUST’s reputation continues to grow, not because of the division they play in, but because of the calibre of players they continue to produce. Under John Asila, the club has become a launchpad for some of Kenya’s finest rugby talent, with his influence now visible across nearly every top-flight team in the country.
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