Patrick Odongo’s rugby journey has taken him from the glamour of Monaco to the pioneering spirit of India’s inaugural Rugby Premier League, and now back home, where he inspired Daystar Falcons to their first-ever Cup final appearance at the Kabeberi Sevens.
The Kenya Sevens speedster recently rejoined his club after a busy year abroad, where he featured for Monaco Rugby Sevens in the prestigious in French Supersevens and turned out for Delhi Redz in the Rugby Premier League (RPL). Both experiences, he says, shaped his growth as a player.
“It was a good experience and I’m super excited to be back playing for my club,” Odongo remarked after helping Daystar reach the final.
“We hope for the best during this tournament, and we are here to play.”
In France, Odongo lined up alongside global stars as Monaco stormed to back-to-back titles, while in India, he played a different role, contributing to the development of emerging players in a new rugby market.
“For the RPL, it was somewhat different because it was a development rugby competition where we helped Indian players grow,” he explained. “With Monaco, it was intense, playing with and against world-class HSBC players. It was about testing yourself at the very highest level.”
Beyond the rugby itself, Odongo says the cultural exchange stood out. “It was a good experience joining other world-class players and learning the cultures of other countries,” he reflected.
His partnership with fellow Kenyan international Kevin Wekesa also deepened during those stints abroad. “I can say Kevin is now like a brother to me. Everywhere I’ve been, he has been there. We’ve planned everything together, and that bond has really grown.”
Back in Kenya, Odongo’s impact was immediate. At Kabeberi, he scored crucial tries as Daystar upset Oilers in the quarterfinals and stunned Strathmore Leos in the semis before falling to KCB in the Cup final. The run marked a significant milestone for a club recently promoted to the Kenya Cup.
“I can’t say we are going to win the Kenya Cup because we are still young,” Odongo admitted. “But we are striving to maintain our place and grow with every game.”
Daystar head coach Collins Bosire lauded the 23-year-old’s influence as the reason for the varsity men’s consistent and positive performances.
“Patrick is an inspiration to the team. He has not reached the pinnacle yet, but his experiences abroad in India and France have helped him grow. Having him on the pitch inspires the entire team.”
For Odongo, the journey is only beginning. With global experience under his belt and the trust of his teammates, he is determined to push the limits, for himself and for the Daystar Falcons.
