Former KCB Rugby coach lifts lid on Kenya rugby’s biggest problem

Former KCB Rugby coach Oliver Mang’eni has weighed in on the challenges currently facing Kenyan rugby, offering a candid assessment of what he believes must change for the sport to grow.

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The former Kenya Simbas lineout specialist did not mince his words as he reflected on the state of the domestic game, particularly the Kenya Cup, where many fixtures struggle to attract large crowds or widespread attention.

According to Mang’eni, Kenyan rugby must first position itself as a strong and attractive product before it can expect to draw significant interest from sponsors and fans.

“The main problem Kenya Rugby has is that it is not commercialized, and it is not a product that can attract sponsors. Because, for instance, Impala is playing Daystar, no one knows, no one cares, and you get that the only fans who come are the students that come to support their own and a bit of old wazees from Impala,” Mang’eni told Mozzart Sport.

The current Kenya Harlequin lineouts coach further observed that the lack of proper promotion and visibility of matches continues to limit the sport’s reach and appeal to potential partners.

“The game will not be advertised or have any attraction. That way, we can’t approach sponsors. If we had a product, sponsors would be fighting to get in, really fighting. We won’t have to look for them; we would be the prize,” he explained.

He also urged rugby clubs to take digital presence seriously, arguing that social media platforms are an essential tool in building fan bases and promoting matches.

“Look at the pages. How does a club have 3,000 followers on social media? They do not even advertise their matches. We do not have a product,” he added.

Mang’eni’s remarks carry weight within Kenyan rugby circles, given his decorated career both locally and internationally.

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The 38-year-old currently serves as the lineout coach at Kenya Harlequin. He previously played for KCB Rugby for 12 years from 2010 until he retired at the end of the 2022 Kenya Cup season.

During his time with the Ruaraka-based side, he built an impressive trophy cabinet, winning the Kenya Cup a record five times in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022.

He also lifted the Enterprise Cup three times in 2015, 2016, and 2017 and won five Impala Floodlit titles in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019.

In Sevens rugby, Mang’eni was part of the KCB team that won consecutive National Sevens Circuit titles in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons.

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On the international stage, he helped Kenya win the Rugby Africa Cup in 2013 and was part of the squad that narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2015 Rugby World Cup after falling short on points difference during the 2014 qualifiers.

He also featured in Kenya’s Test victories against Hong Kong, Portugal, and Spain in the 2015/2016 season, represented the country at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Repechage tournament in France, and played in the Currie Cup Division One in 2022 under coach Paul Odera.