Kenyan rugby sensation Collins Injera has revealed that his first job was to pack condoms.
Injera’s early life in Nairobi was characterized by the hustle that many young Kenyans face. Before he became a household name in the world of rugby, he was just another aspiring athlete trying to carve out a place for himself in a competitive landscape.
In a candid revelation to Mpasho, Injera shared that his first job involved packing condoms in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, a task that earned him a mere Sh500 per day.
This experience, while seemingly unrelated to his future in rugby, laid the groundwork for his understanding of hard work and perseverance.
“I was still hustling in Nairobi, playing for the second team of Mwamba RFC. We were taken somewhere at Industrial Area where we packed condoms,” Injera said.
“It was around 2007 or 2008 there and we were earning Sh500 per day,” he added. Years have now passed and Injera is doing his dream job.
He began his rugby journey at Vihiga High School, where his passion for the sport ignited. His subsequent move to Ulinzi RFC and then to Mwamba RFC marked the initial steps of a long and arduous path.
Injera’s dedication bore fruit when he made his debut with the Kenyan national rugby sevens team in 2006 at the Dubai Sevens.
His exceptional talent quickly became apparent, and he soon became a key player in the squad.
The pinnacle of his career came in 2016 when he led the Kenyan team, Shujaa, to a historic victory at the Singapore Sevens.
This triumph was not just a win; it was a monumental moment in Kenyan sports history, as it marked the first-ever Cup title for Kenya in the World Sevens Series.
He fondly remembers the most defining moment in his stellar rugby career when he guided Shujaa to a World Cup victory. Kenya made history by squishing defending champions and series leaders Fiji 30-7 to claim the Singapore Sevens Main Cup title.
“My most memorable moment is when we won the 2016 Rugby Sevens. That was the first ever trophy for Kenya.
“Of course, I have several other highlights but that particular one stood out. But that was Kenya’s first ever Cup title in the World Sevens Series,” he said.
The famous victory over Fiji saw Shujaa leapfrog England into the seventh place on the overall IRB Series rankings after garnering 12 points from the eighth leg to take their point tally to 85. Injera’s interests extend beyond the realm of rugby.
Injera is an avid golf enthusiast, having participated in the 17th leg of the Johnnie Walker Golf Series at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club in 2022.
by tony mballa
