Roy Maruti opens up on filling Brian Tanga’s big shoes at Kabras

His absence has opened the door for Maruti, who has steadily risen through the ranks to become an important part of the Kabras setup.

“Playing at number nine when Brian Tanga is not around is such a privilege for me. Every time I step onto the field in that role, I feel a huge responsibility, especially knowing the big shoes I am trying to fill. I keep pushing myself to get better every single day,” Maruti told Mozzart Sport.

The young scrum-half featured for Kabras on Saturday, 7 March, when the Sugarmen faced KCB Rugby in a Kenya Cup clash that ended prematurely.

The encounter marked only his second time facing the Bankers after previously playing against them in the 2025/26 Enterprise Cup semifinal.

Maruti, who made his senior team debut at the start of the 2024/25 season, has quickly cemented his place in the squad through consistent performances.

“The game is fast-paced, and halfbacks need to think quickly and make smart decisions, so I know I have to learn faster and stay sharp with every match,” he said.

Despite his growing confidence, the youngster remains grounded and credits Tanga as one of his biggest inspirations.

“I have always looked up to Tanga. He is an exceptional player, and his style of play motivates me. Watching him in action and learning from his decisions on the field inspires me to keep improving so I can contribute meaningfully to the team whenever I get the chance,” he said.

Before breaking into the senior squad, Maruti made his debut for Kabras II in January 2023, just weeks after completing high school.

His rapid progression saw him earn promotion to the first team, highlighting the club’s strong development pathway.

He was also part of the Kenya Under-20 side, Chipu, that finished second at the Barthes Cup, gaining valuable experience on the continental stage.

This season, Maruti has continued to showcase his attacking prowess in both the 15s and sevens circuits.

At the 2025 Christie 7s, he emerged as Kabras’ joint top scorer alongside Griffin Chao.

Even with several players juggling commitments with the national sevens side, Maruti says the team remains united and focused on collective success.

“As a team, we believe in each other and trust one another’s abilities. Even when players from Shujaa join us, they only boost the squad, but whether they are in the team or not, our focus is the same: we play as a unit, and we play to win,” he noted.

Facing KCB, one of Kabras’ fiercest rivals, was another test of character for the youngster.

“This was only my second time playing against KCB, and I can honestly say they are always tough opponents. They bring a lot of intensity and competition, which pushes us to raise our own game,” he offered.

Maruti also lauded his teammates for their resilience after Kabras fought back during the game before it was eventually abandoned.

“I want to thank my teammates for their efforts during our recent comeback. We started on a low note, but as the first half progressed, we picked up our performance and managed to even the score. Hopefully, we will meet KCB again down the line, and I am looking forward to that challenge,” he added.

The Sugarmen will welcome Menengai Oilers on Saturday, 14 March at the ASK Kakamega Showground.