Kenya Sevens head coach reflects on three-year journey at the helm
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 02.04.26. | 17:51
Wambua was appointed Shujaa’s head coach on August 4, 2023, replacing Damian McGrath, who had a rather unceremonious 14-month stay in office
A historic return to the HSBC SVNS, a direct Olympic slot, Safari Sevens triumphs, an HSBC SVNS World Championship slot, and significant wins over arch-rivals South Africa, the USA, and Germany have characterised head coach Kevin Wambua’s reign so far at Kenya Sevens.
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Wambua was appointed Shujaa’s head coach on August 4, 2023, replacing Damian McGrath, who had a rather unceremonious 14-month stay in office.
When he took over, few gave him and his young team a chance of winning so soon, let alone qualifying for the Paris Olympics or even the unimaginable; HSBC SVNS return.
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Together with the new technical bench, they were given only four months to prepare the team.
The tactician inherited a team that had lost some of the brightest stars like Collins Injera, William Ambaka, and Billy Odhiambo to retirement.
His first assignment was the Africa Cup, and he picked a young squad, recalling only three seasoned players - Vincent Onyala, Anthony Omondi, and Herman Humwa - to the squad.
Patrick Odongo (Daystar University), Samuel 'TinTin' Asati (KCB), and Nygel Amaitsa (Strathmore Leos) were some of the new players in the team.
He went ahead to book a direct Olympic slot after that famous 17-12 victory over arch-rivals South Africa. What followed was a spectacular showing from the boys.
Despite a setback in May 2025, when Shujaa were relegated from the HSBC SVNS following a structural shake-up, the team refused to fade.
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Instead, they regrouped in Division II and fought their way back, earning promotion to the World Championship, another testament to their growing maturity and depth.
Reflecting on the journey, Wambua credited his players for embracing the vision.
“It’s been good, quicker than I expected, but it all comes down to the boys buying into the system and us trusting the process,” he said.
“We are always looking to get better, to improve our work rate and performances every time we step out to represent the nation,” the tactician told Mozzart Sport.
Shujaa now face arguably their toughest test yet as they prepare for the opening leg of the World Championship in Hong Kong, scheduled for Friday, 17, to Sunday, 19 April.
They have been drawn in a challenging Pool C, where they will come up against Australia, the USA, and New Zealand.
Wambua is under no illusions about the task ahead but remains confident in his squad’s ability to rise to the occasion.
“We know we have to raise our standards, especially around our non-negotiables. Individually and collectively, we must be at our best because where we are headed will not be easy.
But we have the talent, we have done it before, and I am confident we can do it again,” he explained.