Rugby in Kenya has a very long and rich history. The sport was introduced in the country in 1909 by the British settlers.
Before the likes of Collins Injera, Oscar Ouma Achieng, and Andrew Amonde, Kenya had one of the best talented rugby players - his name is Edward Rombo.
Rombo, who is regarded by many as the finest player ever to play the game, was the first Kenyan international to sign a professional contract abroad.
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He was born and raised in the capital city Nairobi in 1967. Eddy has he is commonly known began his educational journey at Lavington Primary School before joining Nairobi School. It was at the latter that his rugby skills were sharpened.
Before joining Nairobi School, the likes of Rift Valley Academy, Alliance High School and the Lenana School were rugby powerhouses in the country.
However, through hard work and dedication, Rombo went on to change the tide in favor of Nairobi School.
He captained the school to the national title in 1986. In the same year, Edward was named the captain of both Kenya schools combined and the national men’s team B squad.
Rombo is among the very few Kenyan rugby players who played for a rugby club while still in school.
While at Nairobi School, he featured for Barclays Bank RFC and even went on to help them lift the 1987 Kenya Cup.
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The University of Nairobi alumna was voted as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) during the 1990 Singapore tournament.
Scouts noticed his talents at the tournament and thus he was invited for trials at the United Kingdom-based Leeds Rhinos RFC.
It only took a week for Leeds Rhinos RFC to give him a professional contract, in a bid to prevent other clubs from snatching him up.
At Leeds Rhinos RFC, Rombo used to play alongside some of the world’s best rugby players including former New Zealand fullback John Gallagher
While in United Kingdom, Rombo pursued a law degree at the University of Leeds before returning to Kenya in 1999 and setting up a law firm called Rombo and Associates.
He also signed up for Mwamba RFC and played for them until 2003 when he hung his boots.
Rombo has previously served as the Shujaa assistant coach and the director of the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).
He also had stints at several Kenyan clubs including Watembezi PaceSetters RFC and Mean Machine RFC.