Kenya Commercial Bank RFC was founded in 1989 as an off-shoot of Kenya Breweries RFC which was disbanded in the same year.Founder members/players included Simon Otieno,Vincent Abwao, Asiko "Bobu" Owiro,Sadik Makii,Harold Amaumo,Ben Itebete, John Ojara,Dan Ouma,Andy Kimwele and Mark "Daddy" Andere among others.
The club has grown over the years to become one of the most formidable sides in Kenya today and has experienced the highs and lows that are to be expected in the sporting world.
In 1994,the team was relegated from the top Kenyan league (Kenya Cup) to the second division Eric Shirley Shield.They however bounced back,winning the 1995 second division title to immediately return to the Kenya Cup in 1996 where they have remained ever since.This is a period that saw the emergence of players such as Frankline "Stooge" Amiani,Newton Ong'alo,an athletic Ronney Kangeta,Anthony "My Guy" Odongo,Gaston "Stoga" Otuoma,Gerald "Deathrow" Kwamanga,Eugene Vida,Newton Ong'alo and Anthony "Koko" Induli among others.These players gelled well with established names such as the one and only Chiro Nyinge,Churchill Kaba,Ben Ogonji,John "Ojay" Ojara and Dave Orenda.
In 1999,KCB,inspired by Newton Ong'alo at fly half, the ageless eighth man Mark Andere,Vincent Abwao and fullback Charlie Nyende finished third in the Kenya Cup,losing out to Kenya Harlequin in the semi final play off spread over two legs.This was followed by a dry spell in 2000 and 2001 that was significant for the massive player exodus from Ruaraka.
The Lions,bounced back in 2002,with a new look squad captained by Steve "The Lord" Nandasaba,coached by former international fullback Michael "Tank" Otieno,motivated by team manager Wangila "Papa" Simiyu and featuring a timid 19 year old fly half Hassan Mukinisu who kicked the Lions right up to the Kenya Cup final where they lost 3-14 to eventual winners Impala after dispatching Kenya Harlequin 36-24 on aggregate in the semi final clash.This would be followed by a third place finish in the 2003 Kenya Cup.This is a period that also saw the rise of players such as Anthony Ogot,Derrick Wamalwa and Leslie Mango.
2004 saw the Lions,featuring Peter Mutai,Arnold Odera,John Ahenda,Howard Okwemba,Reuben Kisaka,Kevin Mahebo and Richard Kinyany among others finish second in the Kenya Cup,losing out to Impala in a thrilling final,but they bounced back a week later to crush Impala 33-5 and win the Enterprise Cup.
Momentum gained from that first ever Enterprise Cup title in 2004 saw the Lions win the season opening Impala Floodlits Tourney for the first time ever in 2005 ( they won it again in 2007).This was to set the stage for a commanding performance that saw them win the KRFU Kenya Cup league for the first time.They have since gone on to retain it in 2006 and 2007.
This period of time has also seen KCB's second team,the Cubs,emerge as a force to reckon with in the Eric Shirley Shield League.From also rans,they reached the semis of the 2003 Eric Shirley Shield and lost in the Mwamba Cup to Mombasa SC.2004 saw the Cubs claim the double,winning the ESS league and Mwamba Cup.They have gone on to retain the Mwamba Cup in 2005 and 2006 before surrendering the title to Strathmore University in the 2007 final.
The Cubs have also served as a feeder to the main KCB team.Players like Edwin Alubaka,Xavier Makuba,Ronald "Toto" Njoga,Lawrence Kirui,the fullback on the 2005 Kenya Cup winning,Calvins Biko,Ronnie Mwenesi,Collins Kimani, Haroun Lubisia and Philip Wame have all come through the ranks of the Cubs.
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