Mokoro is the fourth Kenyan to have dumped Kenya Cup rugby to pursue greener pastures in Romania, and all it took was one game for Quins against Mwamba in late 2023 for the opportunity to pop up.
When Conellias Mokoro netted two tries for Kenya Harlequin during their third clash of the 2023/2024 Kenya Cup season against Mwamba at the RFUEA grounds in Nairobi, he did not realise his life was about to change forever.
Mukoro had just made his full Kenya Cup debut for Quins the week before against Homeboyz but dominated the field in a clash he and his teammates were taking “personally.”
Mwamba, who had defeated them the previous season, had started claiming they were the real owners of the RFUEA Grounds.
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The diminutive player scored a brace that day, the second one in particular a thing of beauty, weaving through a crowded 22-yard zone with clever maneuvers before nonchalantly touching the ball down.
His performance earned him plenty of accolades, including praise from Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Alexander ‘Sasha’ Mutai.
That game opened the door for Mokoro to join Steaua Army Sports Club in Romania, where he became the fourth Kenyan player to make the journey to Romania, joining names like Melvin Thairu (more on him later).
Known for his dreadlocks and dynamic playing style, Mokoro, a scrum-half, had already made his mark in Kenyan rugby circles. Starting his rugby journey in 2018 at St. Joseph Nyabigena School in Kisii, he had represented Kenya at various levels, from the U20 national team (Chipu) to the Morans and eventually the Shujaa, Kenya’s renowned sevens team.
Now, nine months into his Romanian adventure, Mokoro reflects on his journey, sharing insights from across the continent. Thanks to modern technology—a laptop and stable internet—Pulse Sports caught up with him for a candid chat.
Mutai has heaped praise on Harlequin’s new kid on the block Cornelius Mokoro, with more superlatives from another supporter coming his way.
Life in Romania
“Their rugby is far superior to ours,” Mokoro says, beaming from ear to ear when asked about the differences between Romanian rugby and Kenya’s. “If Kenya Cup ever gets to that level, then I think we will start finding it easier to qualify for the World Cup.”
He elaborates, “Over here, rugby is professional. Players from all over the world compete in Romania. The intensity is high. In Kenya, we train for a maximum of one or two hours. Here, you can be on the training ground for up to five hours.
“Everything is structured—from gym work and positional meetings to technical drills and on-field sessions. Forwards might focus on gym work while backs hone their technical skills. It’s clinical.”
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Mokoro only made his Kenya Cup debut against Homeboyz last week, but already looks a masterpiece after a dominating display against Mwamba last Saturday.
Mokoro astounded by the levels of professionalism in Romanian rugby
Mokoro highlights the professionalism of Division One rugby in Romania
“In Division One, it’s rugby 24/7. If I’m caught doing anything else, they’d terminate my contract. My work permit is conditional; I can only play rugby. The highest-paid players earn up to €6,000, which is around KSh700,000 to KSh800,000. I guarantee you, I earn better than a doctor in Kenya!”
Despite the rigorous demands, Mukoro is impressed by the hospitality of the Romanian people.
“They are very friendly and welcoming,” he says. “When I did my medical before signing, the team doctor even encouraged me to try some of his food. They’re always ready to help and want you to embrace their culture.”
The match that changed Mukoro’s life forever
Reflecting on his memorable Kenya Cup clash against Mwamba, Mokoro reveals, “When we played Mwamba the season before, they had beaten us. They were using our ground for home games and claimed they’d beat us again. Everyone took it personally; we wanted to show we owned RFUEA. That motivation brought us together as a team.”
Mokoro’s standout performance in that game did not go unnoticed. “After the match, as we were conducting our post-game celebrations, KRU chairman Sasha Mutai came to speak to me. He praised my performance, and later someone approached our coach, Paul Murunga, to ask if we had ambitions of playing in Europe. Naturally, we said yes.”
“Initially, I was supposed to leave in February 2024, but gaining the necessary paperwork nearly cost me the opportunity. Things were so bad I even earned my first monthly salary before leaving Kenya. Fortunately, my visa was processed within a week, and I finally got to go,” he recalls.
How Melvin Thairu helped realise Mokoro’s dream
The transition wasn’t without its challenges. “Union transfer was a nightmare,” Mokoro explains. “I’m a KRU player, but moving to Romania meant navigating complicated paperwork. It took until September to finalise everything. “
Thairu, who played for University of Nairobi’s Mean Machine for a while before moving to Romania, was able to use his experience moving between unions to help Mukoro.
“Melvin tried to help by speaking to KRU, but they initially said it wasn’t possible. At one point, I thought it was over. Luckily, things came through in the end, and I signed during the summer transfer window.”
Mokoro’s Kitchen
Off the pitch, Mokoro is also a skilled chef. Before leaving for Romania, he ran a restaurant, Mukoro’s Kitchen.
Unfortunately, the business shuttered after he entrusted it to a friend who couldn’t manage it effectively. “Running a business requires passion,” he reflects. “I’m planning to reopen and expand it here in Romania once I find good management.”
How Mukoro thinks Kenyan rugby can grow
Mukoro shares his thoughts on what Kenyan rugby needs to reach the next level, asking for KRU to borrow a leaf from their football counterparts Football Kenya Federation, who for all their issues, have at least tried commercialising football.
“We need to change the mindset of those in charge. I heard the vice chairman saying we couldn’t commercialise rugby like football in Kenya. Why not? Football gets money, so why can’t rugby?”
He emphasises the importance of recovery in rugby. “In Romania, recovery is taken very seriously. We’re fined if we skip it. We use pools, saunas, and ice baths, all covered by the club. In Kenya, players give more to the club than vice versa.”
Looking to the future, Mukoro’s focus is on 15s rugby. “Many players, transition from sevens to 15s because it’s more lucrative. I might consider returning to sevens someday, but for now, 15s is my priority. We need to make playing for the national team a privilege and instill pride in representing Kenya.”
Advice to youngsters
He advises aspiring players, “Never give up. Play for yourself or someone you care about because you never know who’s watching. I had never spoken to the person who changed my life before that Mwamba game. Someone out there might be recording your highlights. Keep a CV and a record of your achievements. They could make all the difference.”
As Mukoro’s journey continues in Romania, his story is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of seizing opportunities—a journey that began on Kenyan soil and now inspires many back home.
