Murunga appointed Kenya Harlequin coach

Former Kenya Sevens head coach Paul “Pau” Murunga has been appointed the new Kenya Harlequin head coach ahead of the 2022-20223 season that kicks off with the National Sevens Circuit on Friday.

Quins appointed Murunga after surviving relegation from the Kenya Cup last season by a whisker.

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

The former Kenya Cup champions 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 he 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.

The 40-year-old Murunga first major assignment is the Kabeberi Sevens this weekend at the RFUEA.

The Kakamega School Alumnus says he is excited to take up the Ngong road based-side which he described as club with a sound rugby culture.

“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 fan base,” he said.

Quins survived relegation from the Kenya Cup last season by a whisker after finishing 10th out of 12 teams. 

Pau played for defunct Ulinzi and KCB Rugby. He captained the bankers to two Kemya Cup titles and later retired in 2010. He also played for Kenya Simbas.

He led Homeboyz to two National 7s Circuit titles, won the Enterprise Cup and helped them to two Kenya Cup semi-final appearances.

At National level, he has led Kenya Under 20 7s and 15s, served as a Kenya 7s assistant coach as the side went on to win the Singapore 7s in 2016. He was handed the Kenya 7s head coach role in 2018.