Quins name former Kenya 7s tactician as new head coach

After surviving relegation from the Kenya Cup by the skin of their teeth, Kenya Harlequin have appointed former Kenya 7s tactician Paul Murunga as their new head coach.

Quins endured a wretched end to the Kenya Cup following a blistering start to the season and needed head-to-head to confirm their top-flight status after tying points with Impala Saracens who suffered relegation.

The sleeping giants confirmed the appointment of Murunga as the head coach to take over the reins from Senegalese head coach Amady Diallo who struggled at the back end of last season.

“Kenya Harlequin FC can confirm that a has joined the Club ahead of the 2022/23 season, which begins with the National Sevens Circuit as the Head Coach,” read a statement from Quins.

Murunga has acquired a wealth of experience in the game having turned out for the now-defunct Ulinzi RFC before moving on to KCB RFC and captaining them to two Kenya Cup titles.

He kicked off his coaching career after hanging his boots back in 2010 and took over at the then newly formed Homeboyz RFC, winning the National Sevens Circuit twice and a maiden Enterprise Cup.

Aside from his 28 caps for the Simbas as a player, he has also served as the Kenya U20 Head Coach as well as serving as the Kenya 7s assistant notably winning the HSBC Singapore 7s leg before taking up the mantle as the Kenya 7s head coach for a season.

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Murunga was delighted with the appointment having joined a club with a rich history but have now endured nine seasons without a Kenya Cup title.

“I'm not coming to reinvent the wheel. This is a special team with some fantastic people and a great history. I'm incredibly excited to be joining a club with a sound rugby culture backed by passionate club members on and off the field and a vibrant fanbase. I know we are united in the belief that this is only the beginning for Kenya Harlequin FC,” said Murunga.