A farewell to an Icon and a Patriot; Benjamin Ayimba
The rugby fraternity will all remember the late Kenya Sevens coach Benjamin Ayimba for the incredible mark that he left on the country’s rugby sport.
Ojiambo Kevin 
Benjamin had a spanning career as a player with Kenya Sevens, Simbas, and Impala before progressing to a coaching role between 2006 and 2011 resulting in a major impact on the country’s rugby development will leave many to glorify him as both an icon and a patriot.
Benjamin was considered as an inspiration to many on and off the pitch and was seen when he coached Kenya 7s to the first-ever cup final at the World Sevens Series in Adelaide, Australia in 2009, a historic semifinal at the World Cup in Dubai before proceeding to win the Singapore Sevens in April 2016.
“His leadership qualities were plain for all to see from winning virtually everything on offer in the local game as a player to becoming the youngest ever Kenya Sevens head coach and attaining success on the job,” said Oduor Gangla, the Kenya Rugby Union chairman who played with Ayimba in the reigning days of Impala that saw them win three Kenya and Enterprise cup titles.
Here are tributes from those close to him;
“His dedication to the game and the effort he put was immense, he and his team put Kenya sevens on the map when we were nobodies. May his soul rest in peace,” – Former Rugby Union chairman, Richard Omwela
“Our friendship was made in heaven. I believe…we met in 1991 at the age of 14…we helped to develop Kisumu Rugby Club as teenage players at the time. Well, that’s when the spirit of Rugby development was born in us, and we have done our best for the rest of the country over the years with our mantra of #ONGEMATEK,” – Ayimba’s closest friend Richard Quicks Nyakwaka.
“What a man Benja, it was a great pleasure meeting you, playing against you, and playing with you. I’ll cherish the memories of you in that red jersey forever. Boss! It was you! Sammy Khakame could call for the big man and you always could read and relish the chance of stepping the move,” –Former Kenya 15’s international and Quins, Kiki Onyoka.
“Captain and player of both Kenya XV and Kenya 7s, the only coach to win a series. All these made you a superman eventually but you remained humble, God-fearing, and an amiable soul you had. The headlines always belong to you, my captain. Rest well my friend, tuonane mbele!” –Benjamin’s former coach at Impala, Bill Githinji.
