Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has confirmed that Jerome Paarwater has left his position as Kenya Simbas head coach after securing a coaching opportunity with another club.KRU Director of Rugby Paul Odera confirmed the South African's departure, revealing that the decision followed a review of the national team's programme.##NAJAVA_MECA_10101822##"We conducted a review of the programme and assessed the various aspects of the team's performance and technical direction.Following the review, Jerome requested to leave after securing an opportunity with another club. We have accepted his request and respect his decision to take up a new challenge," Odera said during a Twitter Space hosted by Two5Four Sports.The union also acknowledged Paarwater's contribution to Kenyan rugby, thanking him for his commitment to the Simbas programme and wishing him well in his next assignment.Coach Onyango identifies key factors behind rising ACL injuries among Kenyan footballers"We would like to thank him for the time and effort he has invested in the Simbas programme. He has been part of our journey, and we appreciate his contribution to the team and Kenyan rugby. We wish him all the very best as he takes up his new role with his new club," he added.Paarwater's departure comes after his second stint in charge of the Simbas, with his last assignment coming in 2025, the last year the Kenya 15s team featured in a competitive fixture.During his tenure, Kenya suffered a painful setback in their quest to qualify for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup in Australia.FKF scout Obado eyes academy and players' agency after identifying Kenya U15 World Cup starsThe Simbas' qualification hopes were ended by Zimbabwe, who edged them 29-23 in the semi-finals of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup in Kampala, Uganda. Kenya had taken an 18-13 lead into thebreak but failed to maintain their advantage in the second half.The team subsequently lost 15-5 to Algeria in the third-place playoff to finish fourth in the continental competition.Zimbabwe went on to beat Namibia 30-28 in the final, securing Africa's sole automatic qualification ticket and ending a 34-year wait for a return to the Rugby World Cup.Despite the disappointment of his latest stint, Paarwater remains a popular figure among Kenyan rugby supporters, largely because of the impact he made during his first spell between 2013 and 2017.STARS ABROAD: Marcelo scores and assists in Raków win as Ochieng, Wanjala feature in SpainThe South African brought Kenya agonisingly close to qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. The Simbas defeated Namibia during the qualification campaign but ultimately missed out on an automatic ticket after losing the contest on aggregate.Under his guidance, Kenya also reached its highest-ever position in the World Rugby rankings, climbing to 22nd in 2016.He further guided the Simbas to the Africa Cup title in 2013 and oversaw memorable victories against continental heavyweights Namibia and Zimbabwe.Before his first appointment in Kenya, Paarwater had established himself in South African rugby's coaching structures.Gor Mahia revenue from Nairobi United clash falls short of KSh 1 millionHe joined Western Province's coaching setup in 2003 as forwards coach and went on to work with the province's loose forwards and junior teams, including the Under-20 and Under-21 sides.In 2007, he served as forwards coach at the Stormers before taking charge of Western Province's team in the Vodacom Cup.After leaving Kenya, Paarwater moved to Namibia, where he was tasked with strengthening the country's rugby structures through improvements in club administration, coaching standards and long-term strategic planning.Fred Ambani praises Ikara, raises concern over Leopards' poor finishing