Alvin Otieno
Alvin “Buffa” Otieno (born 19 April 1994) has become the rallying point of Kenya’s Sevens revival, pairing raw power with a sprinter’s burst to terrorise defences worldwide. Since debuting in 2016, the 1.83 m, 94 kg forward has smashed landmark after landmark: he was voted Most Valuable Player at the 2021 Safari Sevens after driving Shujaa to their first title in five years, represented Kenya at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics and finished the 2021 World Series third on the overall try chart.
In 2022 he broadened his résumé, guest-starring for Monaco to clinch the French Supersevens crown, Kenya’s first player to win the cash-rich club event. He reached another milestone at the 2023 Singapore Sevens, dotting down his 50th career World-Series try in just 129 matches. Nicknamed “Water Buffalo” for his barn-storming carries and flamboyant mohawk, Otieno also ranks among the DHL Impact Leaders for tackles and clean breaks, underscoring his two-way value.
Away from the circuit he mentors age-grade players in Kakamega and fronts Kenya Rugby Union’s #ReturnToPlay clinics. Still only 31, Buffa remains central to Kenya’s bid to reclaim core-team status on the new HSBC SVNS tour and qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, proof that East Africa can produce global power runners as well as world-class marathoners.