Former Kenyan rugby standout Joshua Weru made sporting history on Monday, April 27, by signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, becoming the first Kenyan and East African to join the NFL franchise. Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya confirmed the move, noting that Weru secured his spot as an undrafted free agent through the prestigious NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) Program.
Mvurya described the signing as a transformative moment for the country’s sports industry, highlighting the expansion of Kenyan talent into unconventional global arenas. The 21-year-old edge rusher, who previously played for the Kenya Simbas and England’s Northampton Saints, impressed scouts with elite athletic testing, including a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and a 41.5-inch vertical jump.
“This is a historic milestone for Kenya, as our nation continues to export world-class talent beyond athletics and rugby into new global arenas,” Mvurya stated.
The minister noted that Weru’s transition from a backrower on the rugby pitch to a defender in the NFL represents a new chapter in Kenya’s sporting evolution. He framed the achievement as evidence that the nation’s “warriors” are capable of competing at the highest levels of any professional sport.
“From producing champions on the track, warriors on the rugby field, and now trailblazers in American football, Kenya’s sporting story continues to break new ground,” he added.
Weru joins the Eagles’ 90-man roster alongside fellow IPP participant Uar Bernard of Nigeria. His successful leap into the NFL follows other recent breakthroughs for Kenyan athletes, including Madina Okot’s historic selection in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Under the IPP designation, Weru provides the Eagles with a promising developmental project while serving as a global ambassador for Kenyan athleticism in the United States.
Weru’s transition to the gridiron is fueled by his reputation for raw physicality and elite athleticism. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 245 lbs, his background as a former backrower and number 8 for the Kenya Simbas, where he was known for explosive pace and relentless power, made him an ideal candidate for a defensive end or edge rusher role.
“A former backrower and Number 8, Josh proudly represented Kenya on the global stage over the years, demonstrating power, pace, and promise,” Mvurya added, reflecting on the player’s journey from the Northampton Saints academy in the UK to the national rugby 15s side.
This historic signing caps off a remarkable month for Kenyan sports on the international stage. It follows closely after basketball phenom Madina Okot made waves by being selected in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.
The 21-year-old center was picked 13th overall on April 15, following a dominant season with the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, where she helped lead the team to the NCAA championship final. Averaging a double-double of 12.6 points and 10.6 rebounds, Okot became the first Kenyan ever drafted into the WNBA, further cementing Kenya’s status as a rising powerhouse in global sports beyond its traditional dominance in distance running.
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