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Crisis at Kenya Harlequin as 38 players demand to leave
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 24.09.25. | 08:53
The club’s management has now drawn up a list of 38 players expected to collect release letters from the Director of Rugby (DoR)
Kenya Harlequin are staring at their biggest crisis in years after the club's hierarchy confirmed that 38 players are set to be released following weeks of boycotts and simmering tension within the squad.
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The unrest, which began shortly after the Embu 7s, saw Quins players down their tools over frustrations with the club’s payment structure.
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Training sessions have since stalled, with insiders revealing that officials had to plead with a handful of players to honour fixtures such as the Kabeberi 7s.
Matters came to a head on Saturday, 20 September, during a stormy meeting at the RFUEA Grounds. Club leadership reportedly gave the squad an ultimatum: to accept the existing payment plan or request to leave.
“The message from management was very direct: either you accept the terms or walk away. The majority of us felt we couldn’t continue like this, so we asked for our release letters,” a senior player told Mozzart Sport on condition of anonymity.
Later that evening, the debate spilt onto the team’s official WhatsApp group, where a poll revealed overwhelming support for departure should the payment model remain unchanged.
More than 30 players voted to walk away.
True to their decision, the club’s management has now drawn up a list of 38 players expected to collect release letters from the Director of Rugby (DoR). A message circulated to the squad and seen by Mozzart Sport read:
“Good morning, Gents. Kindly note that the DoR will be at the club from 5 pm. Those who want to collect their transfer forms can collect them from him. Do have a blessed day, y’all.”
The departing group cuts across both senior and emerging talent, including Abel Matanda, Collins Bett, Frank Aduda, Marvin Nganga, Shaquel Bosire, Albert Alela, Wycliffe Ochieng, Antony Stephen Otieno, Charlton Mokua, Bill Austine Abuom, Brian Ratila, Sheldon Kahi, Amon Wamalwa, Paul Matani, and Franklin Githinji, among others.
This sweeping exodus leaves Quins at a crossroads. The firm stance from management casts a doubt on the club’s ability to remain competitive in the upcoming Kenya Cup season.
Quins, who lifted the 2024 National Sevens Circuit title, dropped to a seventh-place finish this year with 62 points.
They also ended last season’s Kenya Cup in fifth place with 34 points, a level of performance now under threat given the mass player departures.
