Five exciting youngsters making waves at Strathmore Leos

Strathmore Leos are dreaming big this season with their lofty ambitions put on full display on Saturday, 22 November against Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad, where they managed to edge the hosts 32-30 to start their 2025/26 Kenya Cup campaign on a high.

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“We want to reach the playoffs, but that’s not where we plan to stop. Our goal is the semifinals, and we believe we have a very good chance,” head coach Willis ‘Foxy’ Ojal told Mozzart Sport.

To achieve their target, the Leos have assembled one of the most exciting rookie squads in the league. And these young guns might just be the required spark.

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Mozzart Sport takes a look at some of these fast-rising stars:

1. Morgan Ochiel

If you are looking for heart, look no further than Morgan Ochiel. The talented centre is short in stature, but the boy hits like a truck.

The former Kisii High School captain has been in the Western Bulls development system since primary school, later moving to Yala High School and eventually Kisii High, where he drove them to the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national stage.

His biggest high school moment was scoring the winning try against Meru School to book a Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Rugby 7s ticket.

Since joining Strathmore, he has already won the Ruff n Tuff tournament and impressed at the Bingwa Fest.

2. Jaden Oyier

Maseno High School gifted Strathmore a gem in Jaden Oyier.

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For the dependable lock, rugby literally runs in the family as his father, Onyango Ondeng, played for Mean Machine back in their glory days in the 80s.

Oyier kept that legacy alive by captaining Maseno to their first nationals appearance in five years and guiding them to the KSSSA 15s semifinals.

He even made the Kenya U18 camp, then had a short stint with Oilers in December 2024, where he debuted against Strathmore during the ESS match and scored his first try. It was that performance that earned him a Leos call-up.

Over the weekend, he played a role in their thrilling 32–30 win over Blak Blad.

3. Nahashon Mwangemi

Few athletes switch sports and become MVPs in two years, but Nahashon Mwangemi is not your typical athlete.

In 2022, he was still a footballer at Otieno Oyoo Secondary School. One rugby session under coach Oscar Okaron changed everything. By 2024, he had captained the school to its first-ever national championship.

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His major breakthrough came when he was crowned MVP at the 2025 Driftwood 7s, catapulting him into national conversation.

Versatile across scrum-half, fly-half, and fullback, Mwangemi offers Strathmore dynamic options in both 7s and 15s, a rare asset for any side chasing playoffs.

4. Peter Njogu

From Lenana School comes Peter Njogu, a prop who brings both power and leadership.

He captained Lenana to the 2024 Nairobi Region title, finished fourth nationally, and placed fifth at the East Africa Games. Off the field, he was the school captain, proof that he has discipline and character.

Njogu already made his Kenya Cup debut last season against Mwamba and featured in the ESS against Blak Blad.

5. Thomas Opio

If mentorship were a genetic trait, Thomas Opio inherited it.

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His father, Edward Opio, won multiple Kenya Cups with KCB Rugby. Thomas looks determined to follow that path and maybe carve his own line of legacy.

He joined Strathmore at just 16, debuted in the ESS the same year, and featured in the Kenya Cup at 17. By 2024, he had already been named Strathmore Leos Rookie of the Year.

He was a standout in the Prescott Cup Team of the Tournament back in 2022.

The Leos have also roped in the former Kenya Harlequin duo of Amon Wamalwa and Jan Remke.