The common consensus in the rugby fraternity is that Allan ‘Sibwor Malala’ Makaka, the celebrated rugby player who transitioned on 22 May 2020 was a speed merchant. Many are of the opinion that Kenya has never seen a player who could show his opponents a clean pair of heels like Allan.
In the words of Edward Rombo, also a celebrated player in his heyday and later Allan’s coach at the National Sevens team: “Makaka and Sidney Ashioya were the fastest players in the team at the time. In fact Makaka was renowned in the World Sevens Series from 2003 to 2005 as one of the top three fastest players the series. Rombo, stated that Kenya’s opponents, among them Fijian players, feared Makaka for his speed.
Now that counts for something. Fijians are the royalty of rugby and if one can instill the fear of the Lord in them, it means Sibwor Malala was something else. However, for Allan, reaching to the top was not a fluke but a reward that came from the sweat of his brow.
If you want to trace where the seed was sown then you need to take a drive to Western Kenya, Kakamega County to be specific. After Sigalala National Polytechnic you will find the famous Musingu High School.
This is where Allan honed his rugby skills which led him to earn a junior national team call-up in form four to feature in Under-18 and Under-21 tournaments. His rugby club life started at Ulinzi where his pace made him stand out earning a selection to the National Sevens squad Shujaa. At the close of the 2004 season, he moved to Kenya Harlequin as flier upon Ulinzi’s disbandment. He rose in his rugby career and was part of the squad that played at the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. He made a total of 57 appearances on the Sevens World Series, managing 28 tries and is ranked 21st overall amongst Kenya’s all time try scorers on the World Series.
Just as on the rugby pitch, Allan was also a top performer in the corporate world. The International Business Administration (IBA) graduate from the United States International University Africa (USIU- A) Allan was the Brand Executive at Ruck and Maul from August 2004 to March 2006. He then moved to Chloride Exide Limited where he was the Business Executive from November 2007 to November 2009. From 2010 to February 2012, he was the Agency Sales Manager at Mediamax Network Limited. In February 2012, Allan joined the Royal Media Services as a Business Executive. He later rose through the ranks to become the Business Manager in charge of Hot 96 FM, a position he occupied until his demise.
He was born on 28th June 1982 in Kenyatta Hospital in Nairobi, to Mr. MacDonald Makaka and the Late Mrs. Margaret Anyonyi Makaka. He belonged to the Abamahalia clan of Imahalia village. He was the loving husband to Lilian Muthama Shisiali and the doting father of Liam Lijodi, the late Adrian and Lyona Ndunge. He was the first born brother to Erica Makaka, Lydia Viliango, Michael Kwame, Lillian Luseka and Jean Lyona. He was the son in law to Mr Fredrick M. Nzioka and Julia N. Nzioka. Brother in law to Mary Muthama Nasiali,Noah Nasiali,Angela Muthama Grandys,Lucasz Grandys, Stella Muthama Abanga and Paul Abanga. Uncle to Ethan Nasiali, Eidan Nasiali, Nailah Nasiali, Krystina Grandys, Quba Abanga and kalyan Abanga.
Allan was baptised on 26th October, 1996 at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi. He received his First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the same church.
He attended Race Course Nursery School. He went to primary school at Race Course, St Peters Mumias Primary School and Aga Khan Primary and after that Musingu High.
Allan wedded the love of his life Lillian Mwethya Muthama on 11th September 2013. Go well, Sibwor Malala.