Coach Buyachi confirms move to Menengai Oilers

Kenya Cup side Kisumu RFC side have suffered a major blow after their now-former coach, Lawi Buyachi, announced his move to the Menengai Oilers.

In a letter seen by Mozzart Sport from the tactician to Kisumu RFC's Exco, Buyachi cited personal issues, in addition to landing a role with former National 7s Circuit defending champions the Menengai Oilers.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have to step down as the head coach of such a big club, having been my home for the past 14 months. Circumstances therein have forced me to go closer to Nakuru, and I got an opportunity to continue my coaching career at another club in Nakuru," the letter read.

Confirming the letter, Buyachi revealed that he had linked up with the Oilers technical bench.

"I have joined the Oilers Technical bench as an assistant coach helping in the forwards department," Buyachi told Mozzart Sport.

His departure from the lakeside team leaves them in a difficult position. Buyachi restored the fortunes of Kisumu RFC, which barely survived relegation from the championship to the nationwide league.

This was after they were relegated from the Kenya Cup side at the close of the COVID-disrupted 2019–20 season.

After barely a year in office, the Kenyan International propelled Kisumu RFC to defy the odds and climb back to the top-tier league. The side saw off high-flying Daystar University 19-7 in the championship semifinals played at the Strathmore University grounds on Saturday, March 4, to return to the top-flight league after two years in the cold.

Their impressive performance in the ongoing National 7s Circuit has also been orchestrated by Buyachi. The side settled for sixth place after Driftwood 7s, an improvement from their 10th-place finish in their home tournament, Dala 7s.

The club’s secretary, Jaycox Mwavali, confirmed Buyachi’s departure, stating, “I would like to inform our members, fans, and the wider public that Kisumu RFC and its head coach, Lawrence Buyachi, have amicably agreed to go their separate ways.”

The club's assistant coach, Fabian Olando, has filled Buyachi's void.

During his heydays, Buyachi played for Uganda's Pirates, Impala RFC, Nakuru RFC, and Kabras RFC. The World Rugby Level II-accredited coach also had stints with the South Coast Pirates, Kabarak RFC, Kabras RFC, and Eldoret RFC as a guest coach.

He left Top Fry Nakuru in 2017 to take up a coaching role at the South Coast Pirates, but returned to playing in 2019 when he joined Kabras RFC. Buyachi retired from playing in 2022 to be a full-time coach.

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