JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune
Kenya's Humphrey Kayange appears to have an advantage in stride against Chile's Pablo Mainguyague. |
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It was minutes shy of noon. Spectators were still streaming into Petco Park for yesterday's USA Sevens rugby tournament. But in one corner of the ballpark, just above the visitor's bullpen along the right-field foul line, fans were already dancing, singing, waving flags and hoisting brews.
Kenya's national team just entered the building.
“It makes us feel like we are playing at home,” said Kenya rugger Humphrey Kayange. “We look up from the pitch and see the crowd, all the red, black and green . . . you feel something special.”
Kenyans are famous for supporting their ruggers. This weekend fans have arrived from Washington, D.C.; New York, Toronto, even Nairobi.
“It is like this, always,” said Andrew Muriithi of Atlanta.
Yesterday, though, was different.
On the other side of the world, Kenya is embroiled in the violent aftermath of a disputed presidential election. Since Mwai Kibaki retained power in a Dec. 27 election opponents say was rigged, widespread fighting has broken out, the death toll climbing to more than 1,000.
JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune
Kenya's Horace Otieno uses rugby's version of the stiff-arm to fend off Chile's Pablo Mainguyague during Kenya's 38-0 romp in its USA Sevens opener at Petco Park.
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Witnesses have described seeing people pulled from cars and stoned to death. One person was burned alive in a minibus. The U.S. Peace Corps announced it is pulling its remaining volunteers out of the country.
“What has happened is among a small pocket of idiots that you could find in any country,” said Celina Kigathi, a Kenyan who lives in Anaheim.
“Today,” said Muriithi, “we put all politics aside and just cheer for Kenya. It doesn't matter what tribe you're from, what dialect you speak. This is a time to celebrate Kenya.”
Soccer, rugby, cricket and distance running are athletic treasures in Kenya. The country's soccer team has struggled of late, failing to qualify for the current Africa Cup of Nations.
“Given the juxtaposition of our soccer team and the bloodshed, we need a boost from our rugby team,” said Chris Kiagiri, who lives in Nairobi.
The team gave its fans reason to cheer. The Kenyans opened the day routing Chile 38-0, then knocked off Canada 19-7 before falling to Argentina 19-12. The ruggers said they played with a purpose.
“There's a spirit to say this is the only thing we can hold onto,” said Dennis Mwanja, a Kenyan prop. “If nothing else, let this work.”
Against Chile, it was as if the players fed off the fans and vice versa. The spectators waved signs reading, “Try Time.” They wore T-shirts reading “God Created Kenya to Assist Rugby.”
When Mwanja touched down the Kenyans' first try 2 minutes, 50 seconds into the match, the fans rocked, chanting, “We want another one, just like the other one.”
The team delivered, jumping to a 19-0 halftime lead.
The fans took playful shots at the referee.
“Who's your father, who's your father, who's your faaaather, referee.”
“That,” said Kiagiri after the 38-0 rout of Chile, “was a whooping.”
“Sport is unifying,” said Mwanja. “It helps bring everyone together. Everywhere in the world we have different languages, different religions, different cultures.
“We play against the French, who speak their French. We play against the Spanish, who speak their Spanish. Against the Samoans, who speak their language. But at least we have one thing in common. The rugby ball, the posts and the beers after.”
Kenya team manager Oscar Osir said none of the team's family members or friends were victims of attacks back home. The team is based in Nairobi, and Osir said three practices were canceled in early January because of skirmishes and transportation was not deemed safe. Some players from dangerous outlying areas were brought to Nairobi.
“Obviously, the fear is in the back of your mind,” said Kayange. “We are hoping all will be well.”
Kayange said the team's wide-open running style helps create the festive atmosphere. Talking about the bigger Samoans and Fijians, he joked, “We don't really engage the big boys.”
To the Kenyan faithful, supporting the rugby side is not just a matter of sport. Much like tailgating, fans say, it's a social gathering.
“We sing, we dance,” said Kigathi. “It is what we do at home. This is how we express ourselves.”
The players, too, get in the celebratory scene. To cool down, the players don't jog around the pitch or sit and stretch. Instead, they spread out in a line and dance.
“Break into a jig,” said Osir. “It gets the blood flowing.”
“Being here,” said Kigathi, looking down at her team, “represents the unity and love we have for our country. The fighting will stop. We will come together. Kenya will rise again.”
Don Norcross: (619) 293-1803; don.norcross@uniontrib.com
