Kenyan rugby prospect Andy Cole Omolo has taken a decisive step toward a professional career, securing a move to Japan to join Tenri University’s rugby program in Osaka.

The lock, who turns 22 years old on May 2, 2026, will combine high-level competition with academics, pursuing a degree in International Relations while sharpening his game in one of Asia’s most structured rugby environments.

The move represents a major milestone in a steady rise through Kenya’s rugby ranks. Currently attached to KCB Rugby Club and part of the Kenya Simbas setup, Omolo views the opportunity as transformative.

“This is a big step for me and the first step towards becoming a professional rugby player,” he noted. 

“I’m excited about the opportunity to grow both academically and on the pitch in Japan.” He also credited Wazi Wazi and DBA Africa for helping secure the pathway.

Omolo’s journey began in modest fashion in Chavakali, Vihiga County. At Walodeya Primary School, he first encountered rugby in Class Seven, though his early focus leaned more toward football. It wasn’t until his transition to Chavakali High School in 2019 that his commitment to rugby took shape.

“That’s when I really focused on rugby,” he recalled. His development accelerated quickly. He trained with the Kabras Sugar RFC age-grade system, featured for Western Chipu while still in school, and captained Chavakali High School for two years. Those experiences helped mold both his leadership and technical ability, setting the stage for the next level.

After high school, Omolo joined Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in Kakamega County, where he competed in the Kenya Cup. Despite the team’s eventual relegation, his individual performances stood out, earning him a call-up to Kenya’s Under-20 national side, Chipu, in 2023.

That exposure opened further doors, including a move to KCB Rugby Club, one of Kenya’s premier rugby institutions. At KCB, Omolo has developed under elite coaching structures, refining his physicality, discipline, and tactical awareness. 
KCB Rugby head coach Andrew Amonde praised his progress, noting: “Andy has shown tremendous discipline and work ethic. His progression has been impressive, and this opportunity in Japan is well deserved.”

Amonde believes the transition will elevate Omolo’s game significantly, exposing him to faster, more technical rugby while broadening his professional outlook. For Omolo, Tenri University offers exactly that, a blend of competitive rugby and academic advancement in a globally connected environment.

His move also reflects a broader trend: Kenyan rugby talent increasingly accessing international opportunities through education-based pathways. Japan, with its growing rugby profile and structured university system, is becoming an attractive destination.

Omolo now joins a small, but notable group of Kenyans to have played rugby in Japan, following national women’s team standouts Janet Okelo and Grace Okulu. His journey signals both personal ambition and the expanding global footprint of Kenyan rugby.

For a player who once balanced rugby with football, the road to Osaka marks not just progress, but possibility.