How current KCB fullback coached AP Warriors to KRU Championship

On Saturday, 30 May, Administration Police (AP) Warriors finally secured their KRU Championship promotion, which came a week earlier after they saw off Kabarak University 19-17 in the KRU Nationwide semifinals.

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They would then see off Kenya Prisons 31-8 in the ‘Afande Derby’ final to clinch the 2025/26 Nationwide title.

At the centre of the team’s impressive rise has been Levy Amunga, a man who happily wears multiple hats in the rugby world.

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Amunga cannot be simply defined as the head coach who guided AP Warriors to glory. He is also an active KCB Rugby fullback, an Administration Police officer and a family man.

However, despite the demands of each role, he managed to steer AP Warriors to the KRU Championship while laying the foundation for a sustainable winning culture.

For Amunga, the achievement was validation of a plan that required patience, conviction and buy-in from everyone involved.

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“It means a lot to me as a coach, having been able to plan and convince other people to understand and implement the plan successfully,” he said.

When he took charge of the side, his focus extended beyond results. He wanted to create an environment where players could develop both as athletes and individuals.

“My vision was to make AP Rugby a good environment where anyone who walks in can maximise their potential and purpose in life,” he explained.

That vision, however, faced challenges early in the season.

Attendance during training sessions was low, and some players expected to be selected despite missing training. Amunga responded by taking a firm stance that would eventually change the team’s culture.

“There was a time when we had players not attending training, yet they wanted to be considered for selection. Training numbers were low, and I insisted that only those who trained would play.

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I am not proud of naming a 17-man squad, but things changed from that point, and people started respecting the team,” he offered.

The decision became a turning point. Players gradually embraced greater accountability, while discipline and commitment became central pillars of the team’s campaign.

“The enabling environment that we created as a team allowed us to stay accountable and disciplined throughout the campaign,” Amunga explained.

He admits that changing the mindset within the squad was one of the toughest tasks.

“The mindset at the beginning was not right, and it took us a moment to build a Championship mentality through honest conversations and character change,” he said.

Amunga’s leadership style has been heavily influenced by his career in the Administration Police.

“The values you get from training and serving as a police officer help you become a successful coach. Values like discipline, courage and determination have really helped me in the coaching world,” he averred.

He sees similarities between leading police officers and rugby players, particularly in the importance of discipline, teamwork and commitment.

Away from coaching, Amunga continues to compete at the highest level with KCB Rugby, a role he says has significantly shaped his coaching philosophy.

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“Playing at the highest level is a never-ending gift. The learning opportunities you get in such environments help shape you as a person,” he noted.

Many of those lessons are carried into his work with AP Warriors.

“KCB as a club has brilliant rugby knowledge in both the coaching and playing units. The ideas I get are normally shipped to the AP side, but with adjustments to suit the AP environment and the growth of the game,” he noted.

Being an active player has also helped him connect better with his squad.

“Sometimes I remind them that I am also a player and I know the tricks they try to play on me,” he joked.

Beyond rugby, Amunga’s daily routine reflects the discipline he demands from his players. He wakes up at 5 AM on weekdays to prepare for training and coaching duties, while Mondays and Fridays are often dedicated to gardening and spending time with his daughter.

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Managing the responsibilities of being a police officer, player, coach and family man is no easy task.

“By taking care of yourself, staying disciplined at all times and being willing to sacrifice a lot,” he says.

Looking back on the title-winning campaign, Amunga believes the journey offered valuable lessons that will continue to guide him.

“Believe in yourself first. Winning takes a lot of sacrifice. The game is won outside the playing rectangle,” he reflected.