It is worthwhile to be versatile and dynamic; this is true for Kenny Rodgers Andola currently a rugby player, fly-half position and vice-captain for the Kenya Rugby National Team, who actually started out as an excellent football player. By the time Andola completed his primary education, he had played in the National League, second division of football in Kenya for Kawangware FC now City stars.

 

Rodgers then joined Nairobi School for his secondary education, a school known well for its rugby culture. During his game time, while practicing some free kicks on the football pitch, a prefect noticed and asked him to try kicking the rugby ball instead, it turned out that he was perfect for it, and that’s how he switched from football to rugby.

 

In 2007, while playing in the National games, he met Mitch, the current coach of the Leos. He joined Strathmore University in 2009 to study CPA and while at it; he played for the Junior National teams, U- 18, U-19, and U-20 and the Junior World Rugby Trophy. In 2010, he was on Sevens Team on a trial basis, and got to play in the first senior cup in 2011 for the Kenya 15s, during African Championships in Madagascar last year. Through his hard work, he earned himself a scholarship that saw him graduate with a degree in B. Com from Strathmore’s School of Management and Commerce with a major in business administration.

 

He is grateful that being in Strathmore Leos has taught him many life lessons; discipline, following his passion, hard work, inter-personal relations, leadership skills, patience as well as the intricate balance between his studies and the game. “I am here because of what I have learnt from being with the Strathmore Leos and , guidance from the coach has been really  tremendous in shaping what I view as important, and has helped me rise to be  a senior in the national team and vice-captain of the national team” he says.

 

His best moments in the career include the win against USA in the Junior World Rugby Trophy, winning the African Championships in Madagascar, and Strathmore Leos winning Silver in France in 2010 and travelling around the world. He says the Strathmore experience has accorded him many opportunities not only in class but also as a student leader in the Students’ Council, as well as great exposure allowing him to be an all-rounded person.  

 

Having mastered the art of discipline, time management and multi-tasking, Andola has been able to balance his studies, career, and social life and deliver optimally. He comes from a single family background and greatly recognises the role of his mother plays as a great source of inspiration, encouraging him to take responsibility as ‘the man of the house’ from an early age.

 

When he is not on the pitch, Andola loves interior design. He aspires to play professional rugby, coach and inspire upcoming players targeting to play in this year’s international matches in the short term, and run his own business in the long term, which will help others as part of CSR. His parting shot, ‘Do not neglect God in life for everything revolves around His teachings. If you are seeking to have a global outlook in what you do, or what you need to be as an individual, Strathmore is the place for you.’

 

Watch Kenny Andola in the interview below: