Asati: Scrum-half who traded military for the oval ball

In a family lined with military boots and salutes, Samwel Asati chose studs and sidesteps instead.

At 26, Kenya’s scrum-half general is not just commanding attention on the rugby pitch — he’s rewriting his own story, one pass and sprint at a time.

Asati was born into a disciplined home. The youngest brother in a family of four boys, he grew up watching his father, a military officer, and two elder brothers take up ranks in Kenya’s armed forces. For many, the path would have been obvious. But not for Asati.

“There was some pressure, yes,” he admits with a chuckle. “But I guess there is no difference between being a soldier and a sportsman. We are all addicted to adrenaline.”

His adrenaline, however, comes from split-second decisions during high-stakes matches. It’s what he does best — turn moments into magic.

No matter the team he's playing for, Asati’s speed, agility, and clever thinking makes him one of the most important players in the two national squads.

In the just-ended Rugby Africa Cup, Asati and the Simbas suffered heartbreak after a 29-23 loss to Zimbabwe in the semis.

The defeat dashed Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Despite the disappointment, Asati remains composed, reflective, and focused.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy match,” he told Rugby Africa. “Our structure worked well, we just didn’t manage to counter Zimbabwe’s game when it mattered most. That cost us.”

For Asati, rugby is not just about competition — it's a lifeline. Raised through Kenya’s age-grade rugby system, he found early guidance and opportunity through the Shamas Rugby Foundation, an organisation that uses sport to empower children from underserved communities.

“I’ve been a product of age-group rugby,” he said. “Shamas picked me up and gave me a path. My first flight ever was because of rugby. Rugby gave me the network, the life, the name.”

Now that he's made it, Asati is determined to give back. When he’s not on the road representing Kenya, he’s in the slums coaching children some good rugby moves. He sees himself in them — children with raw talent and no platform, who just need someone to believe in them.

“As a grown-up, I act as a coach,” he said. “It’s my way of transforming lives the same way mine was transformed. I try to teach them not just rugby, but teamwork, confidence, and discipline.”

Asati’s journey has taken him around the world — from dusty pitches in Nairobi to grand stadiums in Europe and South Africa.

In 2022, he featured in Kenya’s last Rugby World Cup qualification campaign in France. More recently, he’s made a name for himself in the HSBC SVNS Series, where his performances helped Kenya climb back into the world stage and secure a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“The journey on the SVNS circuit has been exciting,” he added. “I joined just after we got relegated. We fought hard to bounce back. I was even made co-captain, which was a big honour.”

That honour comes with pressure, too — not just to win, but to inspire. “We are always focused on not letting our nation down,” he adds. “That’s what keeps us pushing.”

Ahead of the Rugby Africa Cup, Asati and the Simbas spent a month training in South Africa. It was a key part of preparing Sevens players to fit into the 15s game, especially in a tournament as competitive as the one in Kampala.

“The training was intense,” he said. “We got used to each other again, developed a bond, and learned the systems. That made us stronger.”

“We came here carrying the hopes of a nation,” he added. “Unfortunately, we didn’t cross the line. But for me, I’ll go back to Sevens and bring glory to Kenya in that format.”

Asati’s story is one of choices — some easy, some hard.

He may have walked a different path from his brothers, but in many ways, he’s still a soldier. A soldier of sport. A fighter with a rugby ball. And for many young boys in Kenya’s slums, he’s also a beacon of hope.