Debate ranges as KRU suspend Lionesses head coach
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 06.09.25. | 13:00
Before his appointment, Lionesses had never won a leg in the Challenger Series since it was started in 2020
Former Kenyan international Dennis Mwanja’s suspension has created a buzz online, with many calling out Kenya Rugby Federation (KRU) for being vague on the matter.
Information on the specifics of the incident is scant, as KRU claims the issue is under investigation by the Ministry of Sports' Gender Protection.
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“The Kenya Rugby Union Wishes to announce the suspension of Dennis Mwanja, the Head Coach of the Kenya Women’s 7s team, for a period of two weeks. This is in response to a preliminary report submitted to the Kenya Rugby Union from the MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS, CREATIVE ECONOMY AND SPORTS STATE DEPARTMENT FOR SPORTS – Office of the Gender Protection and Implementation Secretariat on a safeguarding incident involving Mr. Mwanja.
The investigating officers from the State Department of Sports have recommended the suspension to enable investigations to be conducted fairly and transparently, which respects the rights of both Mr. Mwanja and the alleged victim,” the statement reads in part.
SUSPENSION OF DENNIS MWANJA – HEAD COACH – KENYA WOMEN’S 7s (LIONESSES) https://t.co/55fQeJPGMn pic.twitter.com/8KgASkEjny
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) September 5, 2025
In 2022, the tactician was temporarily assisting with Kenya's Lionesses as head coach Felix 'Ade' Oloo had personal commitments and requested the coach to step in as his assistant on a temporary basis. A month later, the head coach left for greener pastures, and Mwanja stepped up to the vacant role.
He has gone on to lift Lionesses to new heights.
They made a strong statement in the just-concluded 2025 World Rugby Challenger Series season, where they emerged champions in April after finishing the three legs of the second-tier tournament (Cape Town I, Cape Town II and Krakow) on top of the standings with 58 points, two ahead of archrivals South Africa.
By virtue of finishing the Challenger Series in the top-four bracket, the side qualified for the eight-team playoffs competition against the bottom four from the World Rugby Sevens Series held in Los Angeles, USA, on May 3-5.
The Lionesses lost 33-14 to Spain and 28-10 to Brazil before they regrouped to defeat Colombia 7-5 in Pool "A" matches to qualify for one of the two playoff finals.
The Lionesses mauled South Africa 17-14 in their playoff final after coming from behind twice to clinch the ticket to the newly formed HSBC Division 2 in 2026. Before 2025, Lionesses had never won a leg in the Challenger Series since it was started in 2020.
“The Kenya Rugby Union wishes to categorically state that it has zero tolerance for any form of inappropriate conduct, abuse of power, or violations that undermine the safety, dignity, and rights of its players.
The Board of the Kenya Rugby Union wants to make it clear that it will not shield any individual whose actions violate the trust and well-being of our players and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and safety within the Union,” the statement concludes.
