Why KCB Rugby have retired jersey 31

Former Kenya Cup champions KCB Rugby have taken the rare step of retiring jersey number 31 in honour of their standout lock Andy Cole Omollo.

The jersey retirement marked an emotional send-off for one of their brightest young stars.

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The KCB Rugby fraternity came together on the evening of Thursday, 26 March, in a ceremony filled with pride and emotion to celebrate Omollo, who is set to leave the country for Japan after securing an educational scholarship at Tenri University.

For the club, retiring the jersey was a powerful symbol of the impact he has made both on and off the pitch.

“In a moment filled with pride and emotion, the club officially retired his iconic number 31 jersey, a true testament to his impact, dedication, and legacy on and off the pitch,” the club posted on X (formerly Twitter).

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Omollo’s departure comes on the back of a stellar season in which he emerged as one of KCB’s most consistent performers.

The powerful forward scooped multiple Man of the Match awards and established himself as a key figure in the squad.

His journey to this milestone has been one of steady and inspiring growth. Omollo first made his mark at Chavakali High School before advancing his career at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), where his performances earned him a call-up to the national under-20 side.

He would go on to captain the Kenya U20 team at the World Rugby U20 Trophy, underlining his leadership qualities early on in his career.

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His rise did not stop there, as he broke into the senior national setup, the Kenya national rugby union team, featuring in key assignments such as the Elgon Cup and the Rugby Africa Cup.

He will depart from the country on Saturday, 28 March.

“Once a Lion, always a Lion. Go make us proud, Biggy,” the club posted.