Kenya Rugby Union suspends women’s 7s coach Dennis Mwanja
By Faith Lagat, September 5, 2025The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has suspended Dennis Mwanja, head coach of the national women’s rugby sevens team, for two weeks as investigations into a safeguarding complaint get underway.
The decision, announced on Friday, September 5, 2025, followed recommendations from the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports – Office of the Gender Protection and Implementation Secretariat.
Officials from the State Department for Sports flagged concerns after receiving a preliminary report, prompting immediate action from the union.
Player welfare
In its statement posted on X, the KRU underscored that the suspension is meant to ensure fair and transparent investigations, protecting both the coach and the victim.
“The Kenya Rugby Union wishes to categorically state that it has zero tolerance for any form of inappropriate conduct, abuse of power, or violations that undermine the safety, dignity, and rights of its players,” the board declared.
KRU further emphasised that it will not shield any individual whose actions compromise player welfare. The move signals a growing shift towards prioritising athlete protection and accountability within Kenyan sports.
A coach with rising credentials
The news comes as a major shock to rugby fans and players alike, given Mwanja’s recent successes with the Lionesses.
Earlier in the year, he guided the team to their first-ever international tournament win, beating Argentina 17-12 in the Women’s World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series in March 2025.
His leadership had also been instrumental in preparing the team for their push towards an HSBC World Sevens Series berth.
Beyond national duty, Mwanja was appointed interim head coach of KCB Rugby Football Club in May, a role aimed at revamping the club’s competitive edge. At the time, club chair James Mugo praised his impact, saying the team needed a coach who could “fire on all cylinders.”
Future
The suspension now leaves questions hanging over the Lionesses’ immediate preparations. Mwanja had previously turned down lucrative opportunities abroad to remain focused on building the women’s sevens programme at home.
As the safeguarding investigation unfolds, the rugby fraternity is closely watching how the outcome could shape the future of the women’s game in Kenya.
For now, the KRU stands firm on its stance: protecting players comes first.