Scrumhalf Conellias Mokoro has signed a two-year contract with Romania Club CSA Steua.
The livewire half-back featured for Kenya Harlequins for two seasons, playing a key role as they reached the 2024 Kenya Cup quarterfinals, losing 26-20 to Nondies.
The diminutive player is delighted to join one of the top European rugby leagues.
“My experience here has been different from the environment back home, the rugby too," he said.
"The main challenge is a language barrier, but I am learning the language and can communicate with my teammates."
The quality of rugby is high.
“The standard of rugby in Romania is very high, different from what we have back home. The physicality and intensity are something else. Remember Romania have been to eight Rugby World Cups so the structures and systems here are top-notch,” added Mokoro
Mokoro played for Kenya under 20 and featured for Morans during last year's Safari Sevens and the Africa Cup Sevens in Mauritius in June, where Kenya finished sixth.
Mokoro hopes to be called to the Kenya Simbas for the Elgon Cup in November and next year's Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Uganda.
“I have missed out on Sevens selection but now that I am playing 15s rugby, I hope I can be considered for the Simbas in upcoming fixtures," said Mokoro.
Mokoro started playing rugby in 2018 while in Form Two at St Joseph Nyabigena School in Kisii.
He was named captain of the school team two years later, where he helped them reach the regional championships for the first time in history.
Mukoro becomes the fourth Kenyan player to ply his trade in Romania after towering Kenya Simbas second-row, Malcolm Onsando (Timisoara), Ian Njenga and Geoffrey Okwatch.
Kenya Simbas team manager Jimmi Mnene said they were monitoring him.
"We are aware of his rugby career in Romania so we see how he fairs and if he can get in the mix in the national squad,” said Mnene.
