Paul Murunga on balancing coaching in rugby, football and boxing
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Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 01.10.25. | 14:39
Currently, Murunga travels with Ulinzi Boxing Club for the National Boxing League, which takes place in different towns
How does a man juggle rugby, football, and boxing, all in the same day and still find the energy to build teams, travel for tournaments, and mentor athletes?
That was the question we sought an answer for when we sat down with former Kenya Sevens tactician Paul Murunga, whose coaching journey has made him one of the busiest and most versatile figures in Kenyan sport.
At sunrise, when Ulinzi Stars are grinding through warm-ups on the football pitch, Murunga is already there.
As the team’s strength and conditioning coach, his job is to sharpen bodies and build endurance, ensuring the soldiers are battle-ready.
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By mid-morning, he is designing drills for the Ulinzi Boxing Club.
Come evening, you might spot him on a rugby field, on Mwamba RFC’s sidelines, or plotting Sevens tactics with university students.
It is a punishing schedule that would drain most people, but for Murunga, it is simply a way of life.
The tactician parted ways with Kenya Harlequin in May 2025, following the expiry of his contract after three seasons in charge.
During that period, he propelled the club to consistent Kenya Cup playoffs and a historic National Sevens Circuit victory.
Since leaving the Ngong Road side, Murunga has been less visible on rugby’s front line, but he says, he has hardly slowed down.
“I have been with Ulinzi Stars for the past three seasons. Last season, however, I was not with them during the pre-season because they had moved back to Nakuru, while I was coaching Kenya Harlequin.
Managing both at the time became difficult. But I was fully involved with them in the two seasons before that,” he explained.
So how does he balance it all?
“Balancing the roles was actually quite easy. With football and boxing (where I have been the strength and conditioning coach since 2014), the players are usually in camp, which makes it easier for me to plan and fix my schedule,” the gaffer said.
Despite leaving Quins, rugby has remained close to his heart.
He continues to mentor players across the country and takes pride in watching them succeed, both locally and abroad.
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Among those he has guided are Conellias Mokoro, Alvine 'Buffa' Otieno, Leonard Mugaisi, Collins Shikoli, and Melvine Thairu, who are now thriving abroad.
“During the 7s circuit, I was assisting CUEA Monks. At the moment, I am assisting Mwamba RFC as they prepare for the 15s season. I simply love coaching, because seeing players I’ve worked with in the past now thriving and living their best lives is truly fulfilling,” he said.
Weekends, too, are rarely free.
Currently, Murunga travels with Ulinzi Boxing Club for the National Boxing League, which takes place in different towns.
“I also travel often with the boxing team. Right now, they are taking part in the National Boxing League, which has five legs. Just the other weekend, I was in Nakuru with them,” he noted.
Murunga’s coaching résumé is as extensive as it is impressive.
He was appointed Quins' head coach in May 2022, and he oversaw the club’s return to the top, lifting the 2024 National Sevens Circuit title as well as the Driftwood 7s, Ingo 7s, and the Mwamba Cup.
His tenure also saw him honored with the Kenya Harlequin Spirit of Rugby Shield at the 2023 annual club dinner.
Beyond the pitch, Murunga championed structural changes at Quins, including the launch of a women’s team and the establishment of age-grade rugby programs.
He boasts a decorated coaching career that spans over a decade and includes both club and national team stints.
He began as an assistant coach at Homeboyz Rugby Club between 2009 and 2011 before being elevated to head coach, a role he held until 2018.
During this time, he also worked with various national age-grade sides, coaching Kenya’s Under-20, Under-19, and Under-18 teams from 2012 to 2014.
In 2014, he served as the assistant coach of the Kenya Simbas, the national 15s team, and later took on the role of Kenya Sevens development coach from 2015 to 2016.
Murunga’s leadership earned him the position of head coach of the Kenya Sevens team from 2018 to 2020.
In 2022, he took charge of Kenya Harlequin, guiding them through a rebuilding phase until 2025, while also doubling as the Kenya Lionesses head coach from 2023 to 2024.
His qualifications include World Rugby Level II and Level I coaching certifications, match officiating credentials, and strength and conditioning certification.
Beyond rugby, he is also a trained Class Three Physics Instructor.
