Samson Odhiambo, “Chumreru” (left, standing), was your typical rugby hard man. He was a no-nonsense flanker- calculating with the cross cover, devastatingly solid on the tackle, agile with the ball carry, above it all, calm, cool and collected.
Joining Impala in 1995 from Nairobi Milimani Secondary School, “Chum Reru” worked his way into the side’s first XV and was indeed part of the all conquering side that completed the double double ( Kenya Cup/Enterprise Cup triumphs) in 2000 and 2001 before making the move to Nondescripts for the 2002 campaign.
He would arrive at Nondies with a bang that season, featuring for the Rangers as they claimed a first Impala Floodies title in 19 years and continued to put up several man of the match performances that season before sustaining a head injury playing in the Enterprise Cup quarterfinal against KCB, a match that his side won 13-6.
Chums would succumb to his injury shortly after, his rising rugby star cut short at age 25, but certainly not his legacy which has been kept alive by way of the “Chumreru Cup”, officially titled the Samson Odhiambo Memorial Cup which is contested by the two sides he played for, Nondescripts and Impala.
When the two sides face off on Saturday, they will not only be playing for league points,but for the “Chum Reru Cup” and it is sure to be a cracker of a match, played with the gusto so reminiscent of “Chums.”
This match kicks off at 4.000pm.
*Photo Credit/Impala Saracens