Andrew Amonde may have parted ways with the Kenya Sevens technical bench, but the former Shujaa captain insists his commitment to the national team remains as strong as ever.The KCB RFC head coach has confirmed that he is no longer part of the Kenya Sevens setup after the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) terminated his appointment.
However, he says he would not hesitate to serve the national team again if called upon.“I’m still part of Kenya Sevens. If my input is required, I will be able to chip in,” Amonde told Mozzart Sport.
Speaking after KCB’s hard-fought 10-7 victory over Blak Blad in the Kabeberi Sevens quarter-finals on Sunday, 16 August, Amonde admitted he was disappointed by the decision but has accepted the outcome.“I just got that news recently. It’s unfortunate. I will not be part of Kenya Sevens after parting ways with the Union. Now my focus is with the team, KCB, and giving them full attention to see how much we can grow,” he said.
The Kenya Rugby Union communicated the decision through a revocation letter dated 9 August, citing a contractual clause that bars national team coaches from simultaneously holding similar coaching positions at club level.
Amonde had been serving as the strength and conditioning coach under Shujaa head coach Kevin Wambua alongside assistant coach Louis Kisia. His departure comes shortly after earning his World Rugby Level II coaching certification, a milestone that underlined his growing coaching credentials. Despite the abrupt end to his stint with the national team, Amonde said he harbours no bitterness and remains ready to contribute whenever his experience is needed.
He also revealed that the encouragement he received from friends and close associates has helped him navigate the difficult transition. His willingness to return to Shujaa should the opportunity arise is hardly surprising given his deep connection with the national team. Few figures in Kenyan rugby boast a résumé as decorated as Amonde’s. One of the country’s greatest sevens players, he made his Shujaa debut at the 2006 South Africa Sevens before going on to become one of the team’s most influential leaders.
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He was appointed Kenya Sevens captain in 2012 and held the role for more than eight years, making him the longest-serving skipper in the team’s history. During his tenure, Amonde led Kenya to qualification for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens, where Shujaa finished an impressive fourth. He also captained the side to qualification for Kenya’s first-ever Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and was part of the squad that represented the country at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Perhaps the defining moment of his playing career came in 2016 when Kenya stunned Fiji 30-7 to win the Singapore Sevens, securing the country’s first-ever HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title. At club level, Amonde has also enjoyed immense success with KCB, both as a player and now as head coach. His immediate attention, however, remains on guiding the bankers in the National Sevens Circuit.