Whenever Lamech Ambetsa’s name comes up, one can’t help but admire the remarkable journey of the 23-year-old speedy winger for Kabras RFC, who consistently delights Kabras faithful in Lurambi with his exceptional try-scoring abilities. But how did his journey begin?
Ambetsa’s roots trace back to the humble village of Nalondo in Bungoma County. Born in Butere, his family later moved to Nalondo, where he spent much of his childhood. His path to rugby stardom has been nothing short of inspirational, marked by resilience in overcoming challenges and defying expectations. During tough times, Ambetsa even ventured into selling mandazi with his mother, holding onto the hope that life would eventually take a turn for the better.
His sporting journey commenced in Nalondo, where he initially pursued football during his primary school days. However, upon enrolling at Bungoma High School in 2015, Ambetsa’s athletic aspirations took an unexpected twist. After facing rejection from the school music team, Ambetsa found a new passion for rugby.
“I got into rugby in Form Two after being denied a chance to go for the National Music Festival. I started as a team water boy and didn’t give up since I liked the game,” Ambetsa recounted.
With the encouragement of his classmate and teammate, Beldad Ogeta, who currently plays for Menengai Oilers, Ambetsa diligently honed his rugby skills. Guided by Vincent Barasa, the coach for both Bungoma RFC and the school team, Ambetsa’s talent began to blossom, earning him a coveted spot in the school’s starting lineup and later on the renowned nationwide side, Bungoma RFC.
While Ambetsa found substantial support within his school environment, his familial situation posed challenges. Both of his parents initially opposed his passion for rugby. At one point, his father even threatened to withdraw financial support for his education if he persisted with rugby.
However, Ambetsa successfully altered his father’s perspective by excelling academically, ultimately earning his father’s backing for his rugby pursuits.
“At first, they (his parents) didn’t like the idea at all. My dad even wanted to stop paying fees because he felt I was giving rugby too much time compared to academics. But luckily enough, I improved my academic performance, and that’s when he started supporting me,” Ambetsa explained.
Lamech Ambetsa’s breakthrough came during a nationwide competition when Bungoma RFC faced Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). His standout performance captured the attention of the MMUST rugby team, leading to a successful trial and a scholarship to study Civil Engineering.
Debuting for MMUST in a home match against Eldoret RFC, Ambetsa’s contributions were pivotal as MMUST secured promotion to the Kenya Cup during the 2020 Championship season. Notably, his impactful performance in the semifinal victory over Mean Machine played a significant role in their success. In 2021, Ambetsa made his Kenya Cup debut against Kabras RFC, marking his first try against Mwamba RFC. His stellar displays for MMUST garnered attention, resulting in an offer to join Kabras RFC in 2022 upon graduation.
Ambetsa swiftly established himself in Kabras RFC’s starting lineup, achieving remarkable success in both the sevens and fifteens formats. His impressive track record includes two consecutive Kenya Cup titles and numerous sevens circuit victories, boasting an undefeated record with Kabras. Additionally, Ambetsa’s prowess earned him a call-up to the Kenya sevens national team, ‘Shujaa.’
To the surprise of many, Ambetsa made the final squad for Kenya sevens’ trip to Montevideo, Uruguay, for the Challenger Series in March 2024, where he showcased his talent by scoring two tries on debut alongside Patrick Odongo. Subsequently, he was retained for Shujaa’s subsequent tour to Munich.
Currently, Shujaa is set to compete in the HSBC SVNS playoff in Madrid following a successful performance in the HSBC Sevens Challenger Series. Ambetsa’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent figure in Kenyan rugby serves as a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport.
Reflecting on his path, Ambetsa acknowledges the support of key individuals, including his high school coach Vincent Barasa, mentor Beldad Ogeta, MMUST Coach Dr. Ahaya, and Kabras Coach Carlos Katywa, whom he regards as a father figure.
