Kenya Sevens stars Dennis Ombachi and Willy Ambaka in training at a Gym Session on September 5, 2018. PHOTO/APO Group
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 15 – On November 15, 2015, Dennis Ombachi took one of the most historic runs in his rugby career; from close to 70m away, he put on the afterburners, shoved away two markers with his powerful right hand before stepping inside and out to head under the posts to dot down the historic try that sent Kenya to their first ever Olympics.
That try saw Kenya beat Zimbabwe 21-17 at the Bernard Stadium in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa and book a historic slot at the Rio Olympics in 2016, the first time Rugby Sevens was coming back to the Olympic Games in many decades.
Ombachi, nicknamed The Ghost Worker would ordinarily become a legend in his own right and a massive hero celebrated back home and most likely, his life taking a shift for the better. It was never actually to be.
Dennis Ombachi in action at teh Dubai Sevens. The team lost their second match 48-5 against South Africa. PHOTO/KRU
Not only did he ground the try that took Kenya to Rio, but he did it with the final play and with so much courage from distance that would have otherwise not been possible for a player not afraid to take risks.
Close to four years on, the Nondescript man has taken yet another risk, speaking up on the harsh treatment Kenya Sevens players have gone through in the name of donning the red, Green and Black of the national team jersey and doing the flag proud.
In a series of tweets on Friday evening, Ombachi laid bare the struggle he and his team-mates have been forced to go through as they drip blood and sweat in national colors.
“At no point have I said that I was ashamed to represent my country, playing for Kenya has been my highest honor. I am ashamed at how me and my fellow players have been treated over the years and have still managed to perform while saying nothing,” Ombachi stated as he exposed what the players have been going through.
whatever kenya sevens is going through is a product of no integrity or morals, its sad when players have to coach the coach employed and paid to coach them.
— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019
From being neglected due to injury and the players being forced to accept pay cuts, Ombachi expressed his disgust at the treatment meted on the players and his outcry was supported by team-mate Willy Ambaka.
The two are some of the Kenya 7s senior players who refused to sign new contracts that included performance caps and drastically reduced salaries, a situation that has put Shujaa into a relegation dog fight this season.
The world suffers a lot not because of the violence of bad people, but because of silence of good people. I stand with my brother @ombachi13. It’s sad what players go through year in year out. All we asked for is respect and good working conditions.
— Willy Ambaka (@Willyambaka) May 24, 2019
“I will be back soon broke as I left having represented Kenya for over 10 years in the world stage, it’s now sinking in how unappreciated we are back home, and no I never wasted my earnings, it’s just enough to survive,” Ombachi who is currently in Russia said.
wait, also tribalism is the main reason we don’t have the best s&c coach in kenya, to hell with that container on gong road with their silly PR stunts, they will come for me, I am waiting.
bye now for real
— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019
That’s the main reason I turned down @OfficialKRU call up to go help my country qualify for the World Cup,
And instead went to russia 🇷🇺 coz I know I am appreciated there.
we all know how that campaign went#integrity https://t.co/RhZwQSceH5
— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019
I had a nasty injury late 2017 playing for @OfficialKRU in Dubai and a few months later my salary was more than halved and I was taken from tier 1 to tier 2.
The mental torture and trauma I went through was too much at some point 😔
I BROKE MY LEG.
— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019
“I have said what I should have said years ago, I hope others will not go through what we went through and this is all I have to say”
— dennis ombachi (@ombachi13) May 24, 2019
He was supported by Ambaka who noted; “I mean it’s sad traveling and living in all the 5-star hotels and coming back home to a locked house because you haven’t paid rent, I mean how do you expect results with this kind of environment?”
When you’ve had a taste of excellence you cannot go back to mediocrity. Kenya is a gold mine for talent but it’s sad how we nature it.
— Willy Ambaka (@Willyambaka) May 24, 2019
How can someone’s take home salary be 280 dollars a month?? Yet you are expected to perform at your level best🤦🏿♂️
— Willy Ambaka (@Willyambaka) May 24, 2019
Playing for Kenya is all that young rugby players want to do and it’s an honour to do so, but we deserve more and the future players deserve more. #bless
— Willy Ambaka (@Willyambaka) May 24, 2019
Kenyans on the interwebs joined in the conversation, voicing their support for the players and asking the Union to do better in managing the national teams.
I love that you are speaking up for many of us @ombachi13. But what I love more is that you are in a better space, mentally and physically. NOTHING, NO ONE is worth your life and general well-being. I wish I has 0.5% of the courage you have to speak up! Viva brother!!
— Miss Ora (@Sinaida_Aura) May 24, 2019
It’s hard being a #Kenya7s player as Ombachi and co are saying.. You have to suspend careers outside the game and base yourself in Nairobi with all the capital city’s living expenses.
— Eric Njiru (@Erik_Njiru) May 24, 2019
Surely we can’t be paying a player on national duty 28k p.m. The sad state of Kenyan rugby. #Kenya7s https://t.co/9JhqGj89mV
— Stephen Musyoka (@smusyoka) May 24, 2019
Those rants are the reason last year we tried #BoycottKRU…. But watu wakajiona patriots sana…. Fans have a voice to send a message to the Union too… The mess there is horrible….
— aleckie ronald (@SirAlexas) May 24, 2019
But @KenyaSevens are rich boys of Rugby, you haven’t met gallant sons of @KenyaSimbas and daughters of @kenyalioness and accompanying cover up and intimidation. #LetPeopleTalk
— Tungsten™ (@kollonabiswa) May 24, 2019
