.jpg)
Former AFC Leopards coach making immediate impact after joining Nondies
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 24.02.26. | 17:23
His return signals a fresh chapter both for himself and the Ngong Road-based club, which has been battling inconsistency this season
After months away from the touchline, Mike Shamiah is back in the game and already leaving his mark.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
The seasoned strength and conditioning coach has joined record Kenya Cup champions Nondies RFC after taking a sabbatical following his departure from KCB Rugby in 2024.
His return signals a fresh chapter both for himself and the Ngong Road-based club, which has been battling inconsistency this season.
In August 2024, KCB Rugby confirmed Shamiah’s exit from the technical bench, a move that came shortly after the departure of long-serving head coach Curtis Olago, who ended a 13-year stint with the Bankers.
Shamiah bowed out on a high, helping KCB successfully defend their Kabeberi 7s title with a commanding 29-7 victory over Menengai Oilers to seal a third consecutive crown.
Having first joined KCB in 2014, Shamiah oversaw general fitness, skill development, and injury rehabilitation at the club. His résumé also includes stints with Kenya Sevens, AFC Leopards, and the Kenya Lionesses.
In 2023, he added to his credentials by attaining a World Rugby Level Two Coaching (7s) Accreditation.
Shamiah joined Nondies in November 2025 after what he describes as a lengthy break from rugby, and he has wasted no time addressing one of the club’s biggest weaknesses: endurance.
Earlier in the season, Nondies showed promise in controlling matches during the opening stages but often faded late on.
The issue proved costly in key fixtures, including the Impala Floodlit Tournament final against Menengai Oilers and a narrow defeat to Nakuru RFC, where they conceded in the dying minutes.
However, in their opening match of the year against Quins, pundits noted a visible improvement in the team’s staying power, a shift many have attributed to the renewed focus behind the scenes.
“I joined the club in late November after a lengthy break from rugby, and I’m truly happy to be here.
My initial focus has been on improving the physicality of the team, building strength and enhancing fitness levels so the boys can meet the demands of the modern game,” Shamiah told Mozzart Sport.
He revealed that the gains are already measurable.
.jpg)
“There has already been a notable improvement in our fitness levels. Earlier, most players were struggling around the 45th minute, but we have now pushed that back to 60 minutes.
Our goal is to condition players who can compete effectively for the full 80 minutes. We have worked on building their engine, and now we are intensifying the strength component,” he said.
Despite time constraints as the season nears its climax, Shamiah remains optimistic.
“Time is limited before the season ends, but we are doing our best to make up for lost ground and bridge the gaps from earlier in the campaign. Good things are happening, and I am proud to be part of this journey,” he offered.
Nondies currently sit seventh on the log with 14 points and face a stern test this weekend when they travel to Kakamega to take on defending champions Kabras RFC at the ASK Kakamega Showground on Saturday, 28 February.
Shamiah is under no illusions about the magnitude of the challenge.
“Next week, we face Kabras. They are a very physical side and the defending champions, so we respect that.
_(1).jpg)
They are also excellent hosts. However, we intend to play a running game and approach the match in a way that suits us, while still taking the challenge to them,” he disclosed.