Former Kenya Sevens head coach Paul Murunga has taken issue with the current national rugby technical bench, blaming poor player selection for the Morans’ lackluster performance at the recently concluded Rugby Africa Sevens Cup.
Murunga, popularly known in rugby circles as ‘Pau’, voiced his frustration through personal social media posts, questioning the logic behind the squad choices made by head coach Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua and his team. His main concern: the conspicuous absence of any players from Kenya Harlequins the reigning national sevens circuit champions.
“Selections for the national team must reflect form and merit,” he wrote. “If a player dominates in the local league, he deserves a call-up. It’s that simple. In athletics, the fastest man earns the right to wear national colors based on performance. Rugby should follow the same principle.”
Murunga, who led the national side in previous campaigns, was particularly baffled that none of the 24 players who powered Kenya Harlequins to victories in major tournaments Ingo 7s, Driftwood 7s, and the overall circuit title earned a spot in either the Morans or Shujaa squads.
To him, the omissions are not just puzzling they point to a deeper issue within the selection system.
“There’s a serious disconnect,” he stated. “It’s hard not to see this as favoritism where relationships and personal ties are outweighing on-field performance. That’s not how you build a winning team.”
Murunga’s comments add fuel to an already simmering debate within the local rugby community, which has been grappling with allegations of player neglect, mismanagement, and administrative bias especially in the wake of the removal of former Kenya Rugby Union chairman Alexander “Sasha” Mutai.
As Kenya’s rugby sevens scene seeks to reclaim its former glory, calls like Murunga’s underscore the need for transparency, fairness, and accountability in national team structures values many feel have been eroded in recent months.
