Former Nakuru RFC Star Felix Oloo Killed In Washington Freeway Crash

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Former Kenya Lionesses head coach and Nakuru Rugby Football Club player Felix Oloo has died after a road accident in the United States.

Authorities said Oloo was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Interstate 405 in Bothell, Washington, in an early morning incident that remains under investigation.

The crash occurred at about 3 a.m. near NE 160th Street. Investigators said Oloo had exited a vehicle parked on the shoulder before attempting to cross the freeway.

The Washington State Patrol said the 41-year-old was hit by a northbound vehicle. The driver reported the incident and is cooperating fully with investigators.

Northbound lanes of the interstate were closed for more than three hours as officers processed the scene, causing traffic disruption for approximately three hours and 16 minutes.

Oloo began his rugby career at Nakuru RFC in the early 2000s, rising through the ranks as a forward and playing a key role in the club’s domestic success.

He joined the side in 2003 as a flanker and helped steer Nakuru RFC to the 2012–2013 Kenya Cup title. He also won the Enterprise Cup and featured prominently in competitions such as the Bamburi Super Series.

In 2011, he led a group of 20 under-14 players to a tournament in the United Kingdom, where the team finished second behind South Africa, reflecting his early commitment to youth development.

He later transitioned into coaching, focusing on grassroots programmes and expanding opportunities for young players, particularly girls, to participate in rugby.

Oloo’s contribution to community rugby earned him the Safaricom SOYA Community Coach of the Year award in 2017.

In 2019, he was appointed head coach of the Kenya Lionesses, guiding the national women’s team through a period of growing international exposure, including their campaign toward the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

He also led the side during the Rugby World Cup qualifiers in 2021, with stakeholders in the Kenya Rugby Union crediting his tenure for strengthening player development pathways and competitiveness within the women’s programme.

In the same year, Oloo joined the coaching staff of Barrhaven Scottish RFC in Ottawa, Canada, after attaining World Rugby Level 2 certification, marking a significant step in his international coaching career.

“A great gentleman and a mentor to many has left us. Rest in peace, Mwalimu, till we meet again,” said Wathiai Macharia, Shabaab Ward MCA and rugby fan.

Those who worked with him described a coach committed to building players from the grassroots level and instilling confidence to compete on the global stage.

His former club, Nakuru RFC, in a statement, described Oloo as a dedicated servant of the game whose influence extended beyond the pitch.

“His passion for the sport, commitment to developing players, and unwavering spirit inspired many both on and off the pitch,” the club said.

The club added that it would stand with his family and friends during the mourning period and support his loved ones.

“Rest easy, Coach. Your legacy lives on in every player and every life you touched. Funeral and memorial details will be communicated in due course,” the statement added.

Funeral arrangements had not been announced by the time of publication, as tributes from players, officials and fans continued to stream in across the rugby community.