Lionel Ajeliti: The Meteoric Rise of a Rugby Star

Kenya is globally celebrated for its outstanding sports talent across a wide range of disciplines. From athletics and football to rugby, chess, motorsports, and javelin, the nation has continually produced world-class athletes who excel on the international stage.

On the rugby field, legends like Collins Injera, Andrew Amonde and Biko Adema made significant contributions to the growth of the game, paving the way for young players to dream big. One such player is Lionel Ajeliti who plays for KCB Rugby Club.

The youngster continues to impress with his standout performances and winning attitude every time he steps out in the iconic blue and green jersey.

His meteoric rise to the topflight league can be attributed to his strong desire to make a difference on the pitch. He fell in love with the sport back in 2012 through his friend John Nahama.

AJ, as he is well known within the rugby circles started playing rugby at St. Joseph Boys, Kitale. In form 2, he had made the school team, and he went ahead to win the Maseno Opens in 2015.

After his Secondary School education, the 27-year-old joined Kitale RFC in November 2015 to March 2016 before joining Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad from 2016 to 2023 where he won the Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) Sevens Circuit in 2018. He then emerged Runners Up at the varsity league in 2018 and Second Runners up at the Federation of Africa Sports Universities (FASU) championship.

“I was drawn to rugby in high school, 2012, through our then entertainment prefect John Nahama, who was also playing rugby. In the first few days of high school, instead of going for night preps, we went for entertainment at the dining hall. It was during one of those days before entertainment, I happened to pass by a group of form ones (some of them were my classmates from primary) talking to Nahama.

“Since I am always curious, I decided to eavesdrop, hoping to learn a thing or two about school. As the conversation continued, one of us asked which co-curricular activities performed well (reached national competitions) Nahama mentioned rugby and music. My friends and I decided we would give rugby a chance, for the purpose of building our physique, and getting girls, which Nahama had pointed out as perks of playing rugby,” said an ecstatic Ajeliti.

Since he joined KCB in 2023, AJ’s journey has been inspirational. The utility back bagged the 2023 National Sevens Circuit under the guidance of Andrew Noel Amonde and Denis ‘Ironman’ Mwanja.

In the 2023/2024 Kenya Cup season, he reached the final with the Ruaraka-based side and in the 2024/2025 Eric Shirley Shield (ESS) season, he reached the final where the team lost 15-12 to rivals Menengai Oilers.

“Handling the physicality of Kenya cup was challenging as a freshman. I had to get serious in the gym, and I managed to condition more through the help of senior players like Levy Amunga. As a team, we have come close to clinching the coveted trophy. I am certain KCB will bounce back to winning trophies soon,” added AJ.

Currently a Data Science student at Moringa School, AJ, follows a strict routine to keep up with schoolwork and rugby. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he wakes up at 4:30am because of the morning training. Get to the gym by around 5:30am. After training and breakfast, he goes back to the house for morning class which starts at 9 am before going for evening training from 4:30pm.

Apart from rugby, AJ enjoys dancing, swimming, football, golf, pool, and sitcoms. He says when he is done playing rugby; he would love to be remembered as a player who gave his best whenever he stepped on a rugby pitch and someone who inspired the next generation just like his idol Biko Adema.

Additionally, he intends to give back to the sport in different capacities and to be one of the best data scientists in the country.