The weight of bipolar disorder is like playing a relentless, unpredictable match—one moment, a surge of manic energy fuels an unstoppable sprint; the next, a crushing wave of depression pins you to the ground.
For Davis Masinga, a 23-year-old fly-half student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), this battle is a daily reality.
Yet, against all odds, he has become the heartbeat of JKUAT RFC, leading them to the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Championship playoffs with a game to spare.
Masinga’s ability to dictate play on the rugby field is remarkable, even more so considering the internal battles he fights.
With 69 points this season—primarily through pinpoint conversions and penalties—he has been instrumental in JKUAT’s campaign. His dream? To one day play in the prestigious Kenya Cup, the pinnacle of club rugby in the country.
Masinga’s love for rugby began in 2016 at St. Mary’s School – Yala, where he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the top try scorer for two consecutive years. His journey has been anything but smooth.
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a child, he started medication early, but the challenges intensified when he suffered a severe spinal injury in 2019 after a regional school games match. The injury left him in a coma at Homabay Referral Hospital and worsened his mental health struggles.
The aftermath was brutal. Forced to take a break from school, Masinga only returned to sit for his KCSE exams, where he scored an impressive B+. In 2020, he joined JKUAT to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, eager to balance academics and rugby.
However, a severe depressive episode in his first year forced him to defer his studies temporarily.
But just like in rugby, where he thrives under pressure, Masinga found the strength to return. On January 9, 2022, he stepped back onto the field, reclaiming his spot as a key playmaker for JKUAT RFC.
To Masinga, rugby is more than just a sport—it’s therapy.
“Whenever I feel low, I head to the pitch and just kick the ball. Sometimes, bipolar flares up before an important match, making it difficult to focus, but rugby keeps me grounded,” he said.
His resilience and commitment paid off in the 2023/24 KRU Championship season, where he finished as the second-highest point scorer with 104 points, just behind South Coast Pirates’ Kelly Akengo.
His kicking accuracy has been honed under the guidance of coaches Smith Muhoya and Newton Patet, making him one of the most reliable fly-halves in the competition.
Behind his success is a solid support system. His family and teammates play an integral role in keeping him motivated.
“My parents call me 20 minutes before every game to psych me up. At JKUAT, I was lucky to have captain Eugene Lubang’a (now at Menengai Oilers) support me from the start. My teammates understand when my mood changes, and their patience has meant everything to me.”
Despite his successes, Masinga carries a few regrets. A severe depressive episode kept him from attending the Kenya Under-20 trials, a missed opportunity that still stings. “I believe I had what it takes to make the team, but I just couldn’t show up,” he admits.
However, he is not dwelling on the past. His recent selection to play for KCB Lions in the Rugby Super Series is a major stepping stone in his career. With his eyes set on donning the Kenya Sevens and Kenya Simbas jerseys, Masinga draws inspiration from rugby greats Darwin Mukidza, Eden Agero, and Willy Ambaka.
His journey is a testament to resilience, proving that mental health struggles do not define one’s ability to achieve greatness.
As he continues his fight on and off the pitch, Masinga remains a beacon of hope for athletes battling similar challenges, showing that with determination and the right support, no dream is out of reach.
