KCB RFC have turned to Dennis Mwanja in their bid to reclaim top spot in Kenyan rugby.
Mwanja joins the bankers on an interim capacity, taking over from Oliver Mang’eni, who was fired at the end of the season.
Darwin Mukidza, who was appointed backs coach at the beginning of last season, and team manager, Priscilla Ong’ombe, leave the club after the expiry of their contracts.
The bankers ended the season trophyless, falling 31-8 to Menengai Oilers in the Kenya Cup semifinals and 25-21 to Kabras in the Enterprise Cup semis.
Mwanja is not new to KCB, having served as a forwards coach under Curtis Olago and Mang’eni in the past decade.
He is looking forward to the new task. He said: “I am looking forward towards the new assignment. With everyone on board, I believe we can do reclaim our titles.”
The Kenya Lionesses coach — Sevens and 15s — said his immediate task will be to bolster the squad ahead of the start of the National Sevens Circuit in July. KCB RFC chairman James Mugo hopes to rebuild the outfit in their quest to reclaim their status as the top club in the country.
“We are looking at continually rebuilding the team to get back to winning ways. The club aims to continue making a positive contribution to the game of rugby in Kenya and maintain its position as a top-tier club. Key to this is having a team that is firing on all cylinders,” he said.
“After productive discussions with the coaching team, we have made a painful but aligned decision to make changes in the tech bench. The club remains a formidable force in the local rugby scene.”
“Our ambition is to reclaim the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup titles as well as to continue churning out players for the national team. With that in mind, we have to ensure that we lay the right foundation for a successful future,” he added.
A fortnight ago, Mang’eni was uncertain about his stay after the club ended a fourth consecutive season without silverware.
“I have not received any formal communication from my employer regarding
the renewal of my contract. However, we
did not have a successful season at KCB
rugby and if it means that some restructuring has to happen, it is not (within)
my powers,” observed Mang’eni.
