George Ooro pens emotional farewell to Strathmore Leos after KCB move
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 01.08.25. | 22:00
Ooro joined Strathmore Leos in 2021 and quickly established himself as one of the standout players in the local rugby scene
Kenya Sevens captain George ‘Japolo’ Ooro has penned a moving farewell to Strathmore Leos following his high-profile switch to KCB Rugby.
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In a heartfelt message shared on his social media platforms, the 24-year-old reflected on his three-year stint with the Leos, a period he described as transformative, both professionally and personally.
“Strathmore Leos was not just a team; it was home. It allowed me to grow, to sharpen my skills, and most importantly, to believe in my dreams,” Ooro wrote.
Ooro joined Strathmore Leos in 2021 and quickly established himself as one of the standout players in the local rugby scene.
His time at the university side marked a meteoric rise to the international stage, earning his debut Kenya Sevens call-up under then-head coach Damian McGrath for the 2022 HSBC World Sevens Series in Hong Kong.
By 2024, following Shujaa’s return to the HSBC SVNS via the Challenger Series, Ooro was handed the captain’s armband by national team head coach Kevin Wambua, cementing his place as a central figure in Kenyan rugby.
“It’s during my time with the Leos that I got the honour to wear the Kenya Shujaa jersey, an achievement I will always be proud of,” he said.
“To the Strathmore Leos fraternity, coaches, teammates, management, and fans: thank you for believing in me. You helped shape the player and person I am today,” he continued.
Under Ooro’s influence, Strathmore achieved numerous milestones, including back-to-back Embu 7s titles, a Christie 7s victory in 2022, two Kenya Cup semifinal appearances, a third-place finish in the 2023 National Sevens Circuit, and the 2024 Prinsloo 7s crown. He was frequently named MVP at various tournaments.
His move to KCB RFC saw him make his debut at the 2025 Driftwood 7s, the first leg of the National Sevens Circuit, where his impact was immediate. Ooro played a crucial role in helping the Bankers reclaim the title they last won in 2019.
Although he sustained an injury in the semifinal against Kabras and missed the final against his former club, Strathmore, his earlier performances were instrumental in KCB’s title-winning run.
He has not been included in the Prinsloo 7s squad, probably due to the injury. The Prinsloo 7s will take place from Saturday, 2 to Sunday, 3 August at the Nakuru Athletic Club.
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