There is trouble looming at Kenya Harlequin, with majority of the playing unit threatening to quit the club over a long time dispute over player payments and allowances, it has emerged.
Quins, as they are affectionally referred to by fans and rugby insiders, have been on a downward spiral in recent years and despite winning the national sevens circuit back in 2024, have struggled to compete at the highest level in both 7s and 15s, with their last Kenya Cup triumph being back in 2012. Prior to winning the sevens circuit back in 2024, their last triumph was in 2012.
Central to the success of any playing unit is their management and with reports of infighting and unhappiness with the team's payroll, it is no wonder performances have tanked at Quins.
A report by Tabby Nashipae of Mozzart Sport, paints a grim picture of the situation at the Ngong Road based outfit. The unrest, she says, which began shortly after the Embu 7s, saw Quins players down their tools over frustrations with the club’s payment structure.
Training sessions have since stalled, the report adds, with insiders revealing that officials were forced to plead with a handful of players to honour fixtures such as the Kabeberi 7s. With no solution in sight, a meeting was convened Saturday, 20 September, at the RFUEA Grounds. Club leadership reportedly told the players to either accept the existing payment plan or request to leave the club.
It is understood that as many as 38 players chose to leave.
According to the report, after a brief period of push and pull, the management, true to its word, offered release letters to players who chose to exit.
“Good morning, Gents. Kindly note that the DoR will be at the club from 5 pm. Those who want to collect their transfer forms can collect them from him. Do have a blessed day, y’all, a message seen by Mozzart Sport stated.
The departing group cuts across both senior and emerging talent, including Abel Matanda, Collins Bett, Frank Aduda, Marvin Nganga, Shaquel Bosire, Albert Alela, Wycliffe Ochieng, Antony Stephen Otieno, Charlton Mokua, Bill Austine Abuom, Brian Ratila, Sheldon Kahi, Amon Wamalwa, Paul Matani, and Franklin Githinji, among others.
Quins recently made a bevy of changes to their technical unit in preparation for the 15 a side season. Patrice Agunda leads a revamped technical team that includes Deputy Head Coach Simon Odongo and Assistant Coaches Eden Agero and Brian Onyiego, as well as a dedicated coach for the women's team, Sheila Chajira.
It remains to be seen whether the players will truly heed their word and exit. Radio Generation Sport will offer full coverage of the situation as it unfolds.
