Born in Galway, Ireland, in 1934 and educated at the Patrician Brothers’ School and St Joseph’s College, Kevin O’Byrne graduated from University College Galway with a First Class Honours Degree in Civil Engineering, he worked with the ESB and with British Reinforced Concrete, before leaving for Nairobi in 1958 where he would spend the rest of his life until his passing in 2008.

In 1958 racial tensions were running high in Kenya, but Kevin arrived in Kenya with a mission to help establish what was to become Strathmore College, the first multi-racial college in East Africa. The buildings of the college are still the same ones where we are today at Strathmore School.

Kevin O’Byrne was an outstanding all-around sportsman who excelled in rugby, football, golf and tennis. He represented Kenya and East Africa as scrum-half from 1960-65.

As a multifaceted individual, Kevin contributed to the engineering aspects of the school buildings, taught mathematics when the school started in 1961, served as the first Deputy Principal of the school, helped find teachers for the school from his rugby circles and coached the first multiracial rugby team in Kenya, the Strathmore College Team, which was a formidable force in rugby. Kevin’s ability in bring people together to create a winning synergy was evident in the people he would select to setup formidable teams in: the teaching staff of the school, the school rugby teams he formed and the players from the school team who he conivnced to join the club teams he was playing for. Kevin played Scrum Half for Kenya Harlequins, Kenyan National Team and East Africa. After his playing days he transitioned to refereeing and became the Chairman of the Kenya Rugby Referees Society; a top-notch rugby referee; known for his excellent game management skills on the field.

The layout of our sports fields are thanks to his efforts and they they remain unchanged since he laid them out. Kevin introduced rugby to our school and became our first coach and has been an inspiration to many generations of teachers, students and sportsmen in our school. As a coach Kevin was a no-nonsense leader who demanded the best from his players.

To celebrate Kevin’s remarkable life and achievements, on 20th July 2024, we hosted The 2024 O’Byrne Under 16 memorial 10-a-side boys Rugby tournament which had 5 teams: Sunshine Secondary School, Lenana School A, Lenana School B, Strathmore School A and Strathmore School B. All the teams were able to test each other’s strengths in a round-robin set of matches. After all the points and scores were collated at the end of the tournament, Strathmore School A were winners and Lenana School A took 2nd place. What an electrifying Saturday! We look forward to making this tournament an annual event in our school’s sporting calendar.

We also continue to pray for the eternal repose of Kevin’s soul and celebrate the lasting impact he had on our school and community.

On Saturday, 25th May 2024 we commemorated the inaugural rugby tournament in memory of Mr. Michael Pike. Mr. Pike is a past teacher of the school and the initiator of rugby in our Primary Section. He joined the school’s teaching staff in 1989. He had played in his national rugby team Uruguay before coming to Kenya to teach in the Primary section. He held various roles in school, including Head of the Primary Section, Deputy Principal of School, and Head of Tutorial Section.

Though a trained Architect, Mr. Pike found a passion in teaching and education. He enjoyed teaching in the Primary Section, Tutoring and Coaching Rugby. He had been very instrumental in helping the school educate parents through setting up and coordinating the Parenting Seminars which are there to date. He was a patient and cheerful gentleman who had great love for Kenya. He will be greatly loved and his memories will keep on with us as we hope to have the rugby tournament every year for his memorial. Mr. Pike was born on May 23rd, 1951, and passed away on November 23rd, 2020 after a short illness. We fondly remember him and pray for his soul. Requiescat in pace!

To celebrate him we will be having the Pike Under 14 Memorial Rugby 7s Tournament which will host boys, from schools, aged 14 years for a rugby tournament. The aim is to have schools sending teams for the tournament to compete for the trophy and enjoy the game. The tournament motto is: “Play with heart, respect and sportsmanship – for it’s not just about winning, but about the character you build along the way“. This would be a typical thought that Mr. Pike would pass on to the players while coaching.

The inaugural tournament hosted 4 Teams: Strathmore A, Strathmore B, Braeburn Gitanga Road and RVA(Rift Valley Academy). After a round robin of matches, the finalists were Strathmore A and RVA.

RVA took the day by winning the finals 12 – 5 against Strathmore A.

Deacon Overton – RVA took the Most Valuable Player Award

Nelson Onyango – Strathmore A took the top Try Scorer Award

Congratulations to the players. Three cheers to all the teams on the inaugural tournament!

We can’t wait to see what next year’s tournament brings!

Unlike all other seasons, this season saw the start of competitive rugby in Grade 7s(Under 13 years). This was a step forward by the administration to get the game into the young lads.

The U13s were not able to participate in any tournament but they had a friendly triangular tournament which featured RVA and Cavina School. It was a great afternoon to see the young players new in the game putting their best foot forward to win against both schools.

On a different scene; the Under 15 years (Form Ones) also had their share of introduction to the game. They had a chance of participating in the International schools league tournament. They started off by playing friendlies which they lost. At some point at the start of the season one would have easily gotten discouraged if there was need to have Form Ones play but as they played more games they were able to become better and display good quality rugby. In the ultimate Under 15s Tournament at RVA they became second losing the the defending champions St. Andrews School Turi by a 2 point margin in the finals.

For the Under 16 years (Form 2s) the boys participated in the Damu Changa league and Blackrock 10s tournament. These leagues exposed them to the game as they only had a chance to play 1 game in their Form 1 year. In the leagues they got ejected in the group stages and Quarter finals respectively. They displayed hope for the future of the game in the school!

For the seniors (Form 3s and Form 4s) the team had mixed fortune as the Team A 7s started off the season by winning Gold in the annual Hillcrest U19s 7s aside tournament. The team A also featured in the Nairobi County 15s, Prescott Cup 15s and Blackrock 10s tournament. In all the 3 tournaments they recorded minor losses and got ejected in Quarter finals, Group Stages and Quarter Finals respectively.

With all this action the school rugby team has a bright future worth looking forward to!

On Saturday 3rd June the Strathmore School rugby Teams A and B got an invitation to the annual Saint Marys School Blackrock Rugby Tournament. This year the tournament was setup to be a 10s Tournament.

Having been runners-up in last year’s 7s tournament the team was positive and hopeful for this year’s 10s tournament.

Both Teams A and B were able to qualify for the main cup quarterfinals.

Team A lost in the quarter finals against a well oiled Kitondo High School while Team B lost to UpperHill A after a gallant fight.

The tournament Finalists were RVA A and Rosslyn Academy. Rosslyn emerge winners this year.

We hope for the best to the team as they take-on the Term 2 rugby season.

Saturday 20th 2023 the rugby team went to the annual Hillcrest 7s aside tournament. They managed to emerge champs in the finals after after edging out Breaburn Garden Estate 27 – 12

We hope for the best for them this season as they start the Prescott 15s season and county 7s competition!

Interview with Matthew Mandi 4A (Captain of Rugby Team A) By Peter Mutura and Mark Muikia 1A

Commencement of Rugby season on Saturday 21st May with a tournament at Hillcrest School.
Q: How was the tournament?
A: It was exciting as many players got to play their first game since the covid-19 pandemic. We did very well in the pool stages beating majority of the teams apart from RVA team A who beat us in both the finals and the pool stages.

Q: How was the tournament towards the end?
A: We entered the final against the RVA team A. There was a bit of intimidation seeing as we had already lost to RVA in the pool stages and conceded a few tries before we scored.

First league game – Damu Pevu (Derby at Saint Mary’s)
Q: How was the first league game?
A: It was beyond our expectations as we emerged victorious against our bitter rivals. Indeed we couldn’t have asked for better.

Second and Third league games
Q: How were the other games?
A: Initially we were supposed to play Aquinas High School however they forfeited and we received a walk over. Thereafter, we played Light Academy. It was a good game and once again we managed to win despite the unfavorable conditions presented to us.

The main event: BLACKROCK
Q: What were the team’s expectations in the tournament?
A: It was a very enticing experience as we faced some rivals from the 2020 rugby season.
Q: How were the games?
A: The first game was against RVA’s Team B. We went into the game with a lot of motivation and managed to win the game as we had a score to settle from the previous tournament.
Our last game –the final- was against RVA’s main team. There was a lot of tension and excitement as there was a lot at stake. This would determine whether we took the trophy home or not. Nevertheless we played as best as we could. However, just as we had made a comeback towards the end of the first half I unfortunately received a vicious tackle and as a result, I slightly dislocated my shoulder and had to sit out the rest of the game. Sadly, in the end we lost by a very close margin. It was a very tough and painful loss to take.
Q: Do you think you would’ve helped the team to victory if you played the rest of the game?
A: Yes, I think I would have helped the team to victory. Nevertheless, they played very well and as their captain I am very proud of them even though they lost. It would be my honor to stand by them in future through wins or losses. They indeed are the real MVPs.

Despite his injury, Matthew Mandi managed to become the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Blackrock tournament. Becoming the first Strathmore School student to do so since Joseph Kimeu in 2008.

The school won the Damu Pevu league this year on 26th June by winning the finals against Kiambu High School (21 – 5). The team has earned a promotion to the prestigious league of Prescott Cup next year.

Kudos to the 2022 team and hoping for a good 2023 season.

The whole month of August 2021 was dedicated solely to the memory of our school’s sports legend the late Mr. Kevin O’byrne; a former teacher, tutor, rugby coach and rugby referee. Also a Co-founder of the school.
The secondary section had all the classes represented for the memorial tournament and Form 4 A emerged winners of the one month intense and high paced Touch Rugby Tournament.

2021 KEVIN O’BYRNE TOUCH 10s INTERCLASS RUGBY TOURNAMENT

RESULTS

Playoff: 4A (15) v (10) 4&

FINAL: 3A (13) v (17) 4A

This year the 7s team managed to scoop second position in the Westlands Sub-County games after a narrow loss to Nairobi School in the finals.

Starting this year 2019, rugby has been re-introduced as part of sports lesson. In Primary: Class 5 to Class 8, and Secondary: Form 1 to Form 4.

This has added a fourth sport in the Primary section and a fifth sport in the Secondary. The other sports in the primary and secondary sections are: football, basketball, volleyball. Handball is only played in the secondary section.

The re-introduction of rugby has been met with lots of enthusiasm in both sections.