Former rugby player, coach and match official Robert “Bob” Sande passed away this past week.
He had been recuperating at his home in Lwak, Siaya County, after suffering a stroke a few years ago.
Sande’s journey in sports and the arts began at St Patrick’s High School, Iten, where he played hockey and was an active member of the school choir. He was part of the choir that won their category at the 1987 Kenya Music Festival.
After high school, he joined Kenyatta University, where he took up rugby and quickly established himself as a talented player. Following his graduation, Sande was posted to Nairobi School, where he coached the rugby team for many years.
As a player, he featured for Mean Machine, Mwamba, Nondescripts RFC and later Mombasa RFC, where he was part of the historic squad that lifted Kenya’s oldest rugby competition, the Enterprise Cup, in 1997. After retiring from competitive rugby, he transitioned into officiating as a match official.
In later years, Sande pursued various entrepreneurial ventures alongside his personal interests.
He will be remembered for his contributions to rugby, education, and his wide range of pursuits.
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