This archive report was first published on 21 September 2019.
Kenya Sevens has been plagued by a high turnover of coaches, with nine different head coaches in the past decade.
Since Mike Friday's resignation in 2012/2013, the team has had a string of coaches, including South Africans Paul Treu and Vuyo Zanqua, and Kenyans Felix Ochieng, Benjamin Ayimba, Innocent Simiyu, Paul Murunga, and now Paul Feeney.
Feeney, a former Fiji Sevens and Western Province coach, has taken over from Murunga, whose contract was terminated halfway through the season.
While the Kenya Rugby Union has committed to hiring top coaches, the frequent changes have raised concerns about development and stability.
Despite these challenges, the team has shown its potential, particularly under Ayimba's guidance, when it won the Singapore Sevens in 2016.
However, Ayimba's tenure was short-lived, and he was soon replaced by Simiyu, who faced a turbulent first year marked by player boycotts.
Simiyu was also eventually fired and replaced by Murunga, who has now been succeeded by Feeney.
As the team looks to move forward, it is essential that Feeney is given the support he needs and the freedom to select players based on merit, rather than relying on big-name players.
Ultimately, patriotism should not come at the cost of poor remuneration for players.
