I still can’t believe that I am about to pen down a tribute to Geoffrey Githaiga, I am hoping that somebody will come out shouting, “It was a mistake, HE IS ALIVE!!” They better get here soon…
Waking up on Saturday morning, like most, first thing I do is go through my social media pages, as I was laying there half asleep, I read, ‘R.I.P Githaiga,’ I flinched and thought, surely that must be a mistake, it should read, ‘Happy belated birthday..’
In the next couple of minutes, I confirmed that it indeed was not a mistake, the cruel hand of death had robbed us of G.G. I felt my heart stop, switch gears then beat so hard that I could feel it stretch. So many questions, so little in ways of answers..
This man Geoffrey Githaiga, mzito, mbaba, mguys wa kuficha miaka kwa magoti, as I would fondly refer to him whenever we met, was the personification of a Leo, a Strathmore Leo.
You would have not found a kinder heart, a more fun yet composed personality, a braver soul or a more dedicated warrior than was in this man Geoffrey Githaiga. How the Almighty fitted all these and more in such a small frame still baffles me.
As part of the Leos team that earned Kenya cup promotion, Githaiga had seen it all with his side. From when they were the league’s whooping boys to now, when they have become consistent title challengers.
Sit with anyone who has seen the rise of the Leos and they will not fail to mention Githaiga’s undying bravery and his unmatched contribution to the side.
He made this sport look very easy on the eye, with his ability to open up defences in a blink of an eye. I often say that the smaller you are in rugby, the sharper you are. Githaiga was a real testament to that statement.
But above all it was his ability to take some serious hits within his stride, get up, dust up and get back into the thick of things. I usually joked with him that his down up speeds were out of this world, and to this he would always reply, “Hawa wasee hawaniwezi..” Remember that hit against Amonde?
It was this bullish character that was most striking in him, he would often take matters into his own hands and go for a gap between two guys almost twice his size. A whole stand would cringe, but like clock work he would stand up, dust up and be at the next break down ready to pull the strings.
In person, Githaiga was one of the coolest people you’d ever meet, on first impression he seemed silent but once you knew him he was a tone loads of fun. His understanding of the game was phenomenal, with a wit to match, a fact that would make our chats the more interesting.
In what was one of our last encounters, somewhere in Nairobi west. It was sometime before the KCB vs Strathmore game and we, alongside other guys from the Leos engaged in our usual banter. “Nyi tunaenda kupiga..” exclaimed one of the Leos. (I can’t seem to remember who..)
What I do remember, is looking at Githaiga, and he smiled as if to say, “Eeeh usha ambiwa!’ As he walked away. The Leos did beat KCB that weekend and he was part of the main reasons they did.
Above all however, Githaiga was a leader and an inspiration to many. He left a mark on everyone he came across, not only in the Strathmore Leos but the whole of Kenya rugby. It was how easily he beat the odds time and again, that made him stand out.
To even play rugby with his size is an achievement, let alone become captain and gain the respect of peers 3 times his size.
I will remember Geoffrey Githaiga as the perfect personification of a Leo, a side he gave his all for. Loyal, kind, fun, brave, with a great head above his shoulders, a never dying attitude and the spirit of a true warrior.
Mbaba, it is sad that we never got to form that ‘SMS’ side we had so long joked about, if it does come to fruition, it will be in your honour.
I know you are up there tossing it around with Gathumbi and your new found mates, Jonah Lomu and Jerry Collins. Like you did here, may you make that heaven RFC #9 shirt, yours.
Till we meet again..HAWAKUWEZI!!
