By Tony Mballa
With his electrical engineering degree in hand, Geoffrey Onyango had set himself up for success. His friends and family were enthusiastic about his chances of financial prosperity, given the popular perception that engineers are well compensated for their labour.
Unbeknownst to them, Onyango had the least interest in going down that specific route. He had found something more thrilling that he wanted to work towards — a career as a fitness trainer.
Onyango switched focus from creating electrical devices to moulding human bodies with the necessary precision. His discovery had him brimming with hope and excitement for a bright future full of contentment and happiness.
After telling friends and family about his decision to become a fitness trainer, he was taken aback by the chilly reception he received.
They thought he had lost his sanity. It surprised them that Onyango made the decision he did, considering how many hours he had spent at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology, shaping his future as an electrical engineer.
His family and friends disagreed with his decision to focus solely on sports, believing he would be better off pursuing engineering. "My friends and family were like, you are an engineer, dude. What are you doing in fitness? Why are you hustling?" he said, citing one cousin.
SPORTING HISTORY
Unfazed by the negative reaction and a slew of icy responses pouring cold water on his aspirations, Onyango took a daring step to fulfil his dreams in sports performance.
"I was like, I have a passion for this." Never once has he regretted his decision. Onyango has steadily moulded himself as a fitness trainer and his business has gained immense traction.
He rubs shoulders with the world's greatest athletes today, such as 21-year-old Bahraini athlete Winfred Yavi, a native of Kenya who won the gold medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics and set a new Olympic record in the 3000 meters steeplechase.
His stellar roster of clients also includes triple Olympic gold medalist and multiple world champion in women's 1500m Faith Kipyegon.
Born on October 5, 1981, Onyango attended Park Road Primary School before gaining admission to Nyabondo High School after completing his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exam. "I wasn't much into sports until I went to Nyabondo, where I played football for the school team," he said.
"I was commonly known as Kobole, a nickname given by schoolmates because I left my mark on the defence as a centre-back. In Form 3, I was playing number four. Then I switched to position five in Form 4." At this point, Geoffrey became passionate about sports and experimented with different disciplines.
"It was then that I realised I was good at sports. I actively participated in football and sprinting, 400 metres. I became a Nyanza champ for two years in 400 meters, then third in nationals," he said.
Motivated by his outstanding performances in the field and on the track, Onyango kept up his athletic endeavours at Jomo Kenyatta University, where he secured admission after passing his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam with flying colours.
"After receiving my KCSE results, I was accepted into a university after a year. Upon entering college, I assumed the position of football captain during my first year."
He successfully balanced his studies and his sporting pursuits. "I majored in industrial instrumentation and wireless communications and did a lot of internships in various companies and NGOs after completing my electronics engineering course."
He was so proficient in electrical engineering that he dared to criticise his lecturers in class. "My father was an electrical engineer, and he taught me many things, including all the technical terms used in that field. I found it annoying when lecturers mispronounced words," Onyango said.
"They thought I was impolite and disrespectful since I would not think twice about correcting them. Lecturers dislike receiving criticism in public."
GETTING INTO FITNESS
An engineer friend and colleague ignited Onyango's interest in sports. "I had a friend who had done refrigeration and air conditioning.
He got into sports fitness and went to the US. So when he came back, as we were sharing notes, he sat down, sharing notes during the December holidays," he said. "I got interested in his books. Yeah, I just got interested in strength and conditioning. I didn't know weightlifting or bodybuilding is scientific until he returned and gave me some books," he added.
During the Christmas break, Onyango would accompany his friend to the gym, where they lifted weights while consulting books to comprehend the science involved.
"That is what inspired me. I was absorbed in it. I started loving the books, which gave me the links, and that's how I got into fitness," he said.
He became engrossed in his newfound love and went the extra mile to enhance his knowledge. "I did a lot of gym work out there, working in the gyms, which was quite surprising. Gradually I became passionate about sports performance. So I've studied sports performance, strength and conditioning," he said.
"I'm a certified world athletics coach, level one as of now, then also level two world rugby strength and conditioning coach. My major undertaking is in sports performance, strength and conditioning."
Ultimately, he was hired by journalist Kamau Kiruri, who owned Image Gym in Westlands. Kiruri also worked as an editor at the Citizen and edited The Leader magazine.
"Kamau expressed his admiration. He was a parent at Braeburn School. He once said, 'Brother, I cannot afford you.' Thus, I am trying to find a place for you," Onyango said.
"Before that, though, I was employed by Jimkana Sports Club, where I dealt with cricket players and the local population. Kamau came back and took me to Braeburn School."
It turned out that joining Braeburn gave him more options and blessings. "Just a year into Braeburn, I got into rugby. Felix Ochieng, the assistant coach and a sports teacher at Braeburn, was providing the Kenya Sevens with training facilities," he said.
"Felix approached me and asked if I could help them with strength and conditioning. That was between 2009 and 2010. We guided the team, and I think that was the onset of strength and conditioning with Shujaa. "Then from there now, I think things just went north with the education."
SUCCESSFUL CAREER
Onyango's fitness expert career curve has shown positive trends. It was not surprising he was hired by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.
"I am a strength and conditioning consultant and coach for the Trail Blazers Volleyball Club and Mwamba RFU," he said.
"I've also worked with Nock since April this year when I was absorbed to help shape Team Kenya for Paris 2024. I'm working with the Lionesses, Kenya women's rugby team."
He had a major role in Winfred Yavi's amazing performance, which saw her add the Olympic title to her world championship and shatter the record in the women's 3000m steeplechase at the Diamond League in Rome.
"I have been working with the steeplechase girl, Yavi, for three years. She was suffering from a chronic hamstring injury when she came to see me. Kari Akim, the well-known Nock physiotherapist, introduced her to me," he said.
Additionally, he has worked closely with Faith Cherotich, William Kimanyal, Faith Kipyegon and a host of other Kenyan athletes during the athletics camp for Team Paris. He has also been working with Hellen Obiri since 2019.
In addition, Onyango keeps running into the best athletes in Kenya. Humphrey Hayange, Lavin Asego and Collins Injera are other people with whom he has collaborated. To perform better, Onyango says Kenyans must commit to rigorous fitness training.
"Strength and conditioning is a growing sector in Kenya. Most teams have not embraced it and many coaches and team managers don't understand it. They still think strength and conditioning is just bodybuilding," he said.
"They don't understand that strength and conditioning is functional and movement training. It's sports movement training that helps individuals and teams enhance speed, power, strength, endurance and coordination."
To fully reap the benefits of its sporting potential, Onyango says Kenya needs to change its perspective on strength and conditioning. "Strength and conditioning coaches help team managers, athletes and coaches with their recovery protocols, injury preventions, pre-hubs and re-hubs," he said.
He dismissed as a myth the idea that strength and conditioning should not be introduced to young children since it stunts their development.
"Genetics, body composition and the family tree, in my opinion, are the main determinants of growth. Strength and conditioning will never limit growth or height, or anything similar. It's a myth in Africa," he said.
"Perhaps we dig a little further and comprehend conditioning and strength. People tend to forget that even the world's best athletes in their senior years may spend a week in the gym doing nothing but isometrics, conditioning exercises and functional training, all without lifting weights."
Strength and conditioning encompass a great deal. Examples include running, aerobics, the phosphagen systems and lactic acid.
Onyango has always drawn immense inspiration from the world's most successful fitness experts. "I have so many strength and conditioning role models, especially in the US," he said. "I have a guy called Phil Davis. He is a world-class consultant on strength and conditioning for rugby. He is from Ireland.
We also have New Zealander Richard Smith. He is a highly skilled coach in strength and conditioning." In addition, Onyango has learned a few important lessons from his Kenyan colleagues, with whom he works closely.
"I would say that we are a small group here in Kenya. Geoffrey Kimani, a top fitness and sprints coach, handles Omanyala," he said.
"There's Mike Shamir, who handled KCB three weeks ago. Then we have Malik Ndemi, a rugby educator at Kenya Rugby Union. Richard Uchen is based at Kabras Sugar."