Iyaani reveals he was once a rugby player before choosing music full-time
By Mustafa Juma, July 19, 2025Kenyan artist Ian Oure, popularly known as Iyaani, has opened up about a lesser-known chapter of his life—his journey as a rugby player before diving into music full-time.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on the night of Friday, July 18, 2025, Iyaani revealed that sports, particularly rugby, were a significant part of his early life.
“Mimi kitu wasee hawajui kunihusu ni kuwa nilikuwa naplay rugby at some point,” he said. “Kama singekuwa msanii, ningekuwa rugby player.”
Loosely translated as “One thing people don’t know about me is that I used to play rugby at some point,” he said. “If I hadn’t become a musician, I would have been a rugby player.”
Iyaani’s rugby journey
He recounted playing competitively during his high school years, eventually rising to the role of captain. His talent on the field earned him a spot on the prestigious KCB Rugby team, where he played for a while before deciding to switch careers.
“Nilikuwa mdeadly, nilikuwa captain hadi. Mimi ni mbaya, kwanza nikiekwa na huyu Dufla naeza mtwanga mbaya sana,” he joked, showing his lingering confidence in his athletic ability.
Loosely translated as: “I was really good—I was even the captain. I’m tough; in fact, if I were put up against Dufla, I could seriously take him down.”
Transition from rugby to music
However, the pull of music proved stronger than the try line. Iyaani eventually made the difficult decision to leave rugby behind and pursue his passion for music, a path that has since made him a household name in Kenya’s entertainment industry.
“Nilikuwa naplay high school, alafu nikakuja nikaplay for KCB rugby for some time, then I dropped, nikaamua kupick muziki full time,” the Kifo cha mende hit maker said.
Loosely translated as: “I used to play in high school, then I went on to play for KCB Rugby for a while, but I eventually dropped it and decided to pursue music full-time.”
Now known for his unique sound and hit songs such as Pombe and his latest banger featuring Dufla dubbed Donjo Maber, Iyaani’s revelation adds a new dimension to his persona, highlighting the often-overlooked sacrifices and career pivots artists make to follow their dreams.