Kenya international Bethuel Anami has secured another major opportunity in his rugby career after joining French rugby club US Tours on a one-year contract, with the possibility of an extension depending on his performances.
Anami completed the move on Wednesday, August 27, 2026, taking another step in his progression from Kenyan rugby to the highly competitive French club system.
The forward said he was excited about the new challenge and viewed the transfer as an important opportunity to improve his game.
“I am very happy and excited about what’s ahead. Career-wise, this is an important step for me as it gives me the opportunity to grow in a more competitive environment and continue improving my level of play,” said Anami.
“I’m grateful to God and happy to see my hard work paying off. As athletes, these are the moments we are proud of because they show the small steps towards greater things, more so moving from lower to upper league.”
His move to US Tours follows his spell with Maisons-Laffitte, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Poissy (MLSGP78), where he established himself as one of Kenya’s prominent players in France.
Anami is also expected to remain an important figure for the Kenya Simbas as they pursue qualification for the next Rugby World Cup through the Africa Cup.
His rise in rugby has been shaped by determination, having initially taken up the sport almost by chance. A keen footballer, who played as a number nine and left winger, Anami was convinced by friends to try rugby during the December 2012 holidays while awaiting admission to secondary school.
“I can say I ventured into rugby by accident. My friends from my village, who had completed their final examinations at St Peter’s Mumias, convinced me to join them for rugby, and that is how my journey began,” he recalled.
At St Peter’s Mumias, rugby soon became more than a sporting activity. It provided him with an avenue to continue his education despite his family’s financial difficulties following the death of his father when he was nine.
“Rugby opened doors for educational sponsorship, so I grabbed the opportunity seriously to ease the burden of paying school fees,” he said.
The former Lugala Primary School pupil in Shinyalu Constituency later earned an 80 per cent rugby scholarship at Strathmore University. The scholarship was eventually increased to 100 per cent as he neared completion of his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Sales and Finance.
Anami credits former rugby coach Mitch Ocholla for encouraging him to prioritise his studies while making the most of his rugby opportunity.
His performances earned him selection to the Kenya Under-20 side that finished runners-up at the 2018 Africa Under-20 Championship, the Barthes Trophy, in Namibia.
Kenya defeated Madagascar 51-13 in the semi-final on March 28 before losing 37-18 to hosts Namibia in the final three days later. Anami played the final 26 minutes of the title decider.
His breakthrough in European rugby came in 2023 when he joined Stade Caennais RC in France. His performances at the 2022 Africa Cup in Marseille, which also doubled as a 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifier, had attracted the attention of scouts.
Since moving to France, Anami has continued developing his game, mainly featuring at number eight, but also playing at six and seven.
He draws inspiration from former Kenya internationals Joshua Chisanga and Andrew Amonde, as well as Australia’s David Pocock, New Zealand legend Richie McCaw and South Africa captain Siya Kolisi.
“All those players played at number six, seven or eight, positions that I have also played. My usual position is number eight. I followed their games by watching videos to learn a thing or two from them and improve myself,” he said.
The move to US Tours gives Anami another chance to compete at a higher level as he pursues his long-term ambitions.
His biggest goal remains helping the Simbas qualify for the Rugby World Cup, something Kenya has failed to achieve since beginning its qualification campaign in 1995.
Beyond his playing career, Anami hopes to make a lasting contribution to rugby by helping athletes, particularly rugby players, as a mental coach after retirement.
For now, his attention is firmly on US Tours, where he hopes to use the latest chapter of his career as another stepping stone towards bigger opportunities in French rugby and with the Simbas
