Fresh from guiding KCB to their fifth National Sevens Circuit title in September, Andrew Amonde was thrown to the deep end.
He was appointed acting head coach of the KCB 15s team, replacing Dennis Mwanja, who stepped aside. This followed Mwanja’s two-week suspension by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) from his role as Kenya Lionesses coach.
Kenya’s Andrew Amonde in action in the past during the Safaricom Safari Sevens quarter-final against Samurai at Nyayo Stadium. There will be major changes in Kenyan rugby if clubs have their way this week. FILE PHOTO |
Amonde,41, has taken charge at a time when KCB are trying to rebuild; they have not won the Kenya Cup since 2021. They have also missed out on the Enterprise Cup since 2019.
He had replaced Curtis Olago in August last year. Olago had coached the club for 13 years, guiding KCB to five Kenya Cup titles. Amonde is now responsible for decision-making and policy issues at one of Kenya’s most celebrated rugby clubs in the top-flight rugby league.
On November 22, the bankers beat Impala 87-5 at the Ruaraka Sports Club as the Kenya Cup got underway. They then beat Kisumu 41–10 in Kisumu before overwhelming Strathmore Leos 72–14 at Ruaraka.
KCB Rugby coach Andrew Amonde during their Kenya Cup match against Strathmore University at Ruaraka KCB Sports Club on December 6, 2025
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
But what has it been like for Amonde in his first three months with the KCB 15s? Like many upcoming coaches, Amonde is navigating the challenges of gaining exposure, trust, respect and belief from the team, especially the players, as he tries to establish himself at the Thika Highway-based club.
“You see, I was used to the 15s version as a player, but becoming a coach brings a fresh perspective and a different way of thinking,” said Amonde.
He added: “It’s a unique situation where the roles have changed — from taking instructions as a player to crafting policies for over 30 players and the technical bench.”
“Coaching players you once played alongside takes time to change perceptions and build the respect and discipline you will need going forward.”
William Mwanji (centre) of Kabras Sugar charges past Vincent Onyala (left) of KCB during the Kabeberi 7s Rugby tournament at RFUEA ground in Nairobi on September 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
However, Amonde noted that his experience of handling the KCB Sevens team has made things easier for him, as he is slowly receiving the necessary attention from both the management and the playing unit.
Amonde, a World Rugby Level II coach, said his promotion was not a major surprise, given that he has been involved in the KCB’s playing and coaching systems for two decades.
“What is pleasing is that the players bought into my philosophy,” he said. Also, the already established culture at the club has ensured continuity. I thought it would be a big challenge, but I realised that it doesn’t matter whether it’s sevens or the 15s version,” he explained, adding that understanding the game, relating to the players and communicating with the technical bench eases things.
He noted that tapping into the different coaching philosophies of former KCB coaches such as Michael ‘Tank’ Otieno, Olago, Mwanja and Mang’eni has helped him.
He said that he cannot wait to face the Kenya Cup “Big Four”: champions Kabras Sugar, Menengai Oilers, Kenya Harlequin and Nondescripts.
KCB Rugby Club's Andrew Amonde trains at Kakamega Boys High School on March 9, 2023
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“That is where the big challenge will come from. My players have worked hard, and I am confident that we will be a strong team by the time we play them,” said Amonde, who is eager to win the most prestigious titles, the Kenya Cup and the Enterprise Cup, this season.
Last season, KCB failed to reach both the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup finals for the first time in six years, having dominated alongside Kabras Sugar.
KCB lost to Kabras Sugar 25–21 in the Enterprise Cup semi-final, with the sugar men going on to maintain their dominance and clinch their fifth consecutive title by beating Menengai Oilers 33–12 in Nakuru on April 26.
KCB and Menengai Oilers had, a fortnight earlier, met in the Kenya Cup final where the sugar men prevailed 27-26 in the final in Kakamega. It’s Oilers who had stopped KCB 31-8 in the semi-finals.
KCB takes the Christmas holiday break in third place in the Kenya Cup league with 15 points behind leaders Kabras Sugar and Menengai Oilers, who also have 15 points each.
Amonde, who was tossed into the world of rugby right after high school in 2004, went on to establish himself as an astute all-round player, earning 50 international caps in 15s and over 70 international caps in sevens.
Amonde captained Kenya Sevens at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens semi-final, the historic 2016 Singapore Sevens and the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Winning the 2016 Singapore Sevens, Kenya’s maiden victory in the World Rugby Sevens, was the highlight of his international career.
