Tyson Juma reveals why he reversed retirement for rugby comeback
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 13.01.26. | 13:46
He had announced he was hanging up his boots after a successful National 7s Circuit campaign last year
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) winger-cum-sprinter Tyson Juma has opened up on the moment that made him walk back from retirement and give rugby another shot.
Juma, a familiar name among rugby faithful, had announced he was hanging up his boots after a successful National 7s Circuit campaign last year.
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The decision came on Sunday, 15 September, shortly after he starred at the Dala 7s, where he returned to competitive rugby for the first time since the 2023 Tisap 7s.
His comeback was nothing short of memorable.
The speedster lit up the tournament, scoring seven tries to finish as joint top try scorer alongside Menengai Oilers’ Dennis Abukuse, a run that helped MMUST clinch the Challenge Trophy.
At the time, however, Juma believed that the chapter was closed.
“I did not expect the Kenya Sevens call-up. Honestly, I had already hung up my boots. I had only used sevens as preparation for this year, and once that phase ended, I thought that was it,” Juma told Mozzart Sport.
Barely a week after announcing his retirement, everything changed.
Juma earned a Kenya Sevens call-up and joined the training setup ahead of the Safari 7s.
Although he did not make the final squad, the experience reignited his hunger for the game.
“But everything changed when I joined Kenya Sevens. It was a dream come true. The experience, especially working with the coaches, was amazing, easily one of the best moments of my career,” he added.
The advice from the technical bench and the intensity of the national team environment sparked a new mindset, pushing him to reconsider stepping away from rugby entirely.
“Yes, I had stepped away, but whenever I am needed, I will always show up. I am going back. I will always step up when the moment calls for it,” Juma said.
MMUST’s struggles in their maiden Kenya Cup season have also played a major role in his decision.
The students earned promotion at the end of the 2024/25 campaign but have yet to register a win in the top tier.
They have suffered defeats to defending champions Kabras RFC, Kenya Harlequin, and, most recently, Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad.
It is a situation Juma feels compelled to respond to.
“When I see something and truly feel sent to do it, I will do it. I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I come from a multi-talented family that has always encouraged me to be different. I am constantly inspired not to limit myself,” he opened up.
The sprinter insisted that his return to rugby does not mean abandoning his athletics ambitions.
He believes the two disciplines complement each other.
“Rugby is a game of speed, and it builds acceleration. The conditioning is on another level. The runs were brutal; they were killing me, but they were also building something in me, making me mentally and physically tougher,” he explained.
“The training, the gym work, the endurance, everything is at a different level. So, when it comes to running, you only need to master the technical aspects: style, frequency, and efficiency. Rugby already conditioned me for that,” he continued.
Juma will be hoping his return can inspire a turnaround when MMUST host fellow strugglers Impala RFC on Saturday, 17 January at the MMUST Rugby Grounds.
