Ex-Shujaa captain Amonde relishing his coaching role at KCB

Few names command as much respect in Kenyan rugby as Andrew ‘Asusu’ Amonde.

A former Kenya Sevens captain, Amonde enjoyed an illustrious playing career, earning numerous accolades on the local and international stages.

One of the defining moments of his career came in 2016 when he captained Kenya to a historic Singapore Sevens title, defeating Fiji 30–7 to secure the country's first-ever HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournament victory.

For Amonde, the triumph remains one of the most memorable moments of his playing career, a reminder of what talent, preparation, belief and teamwork can achieve when individuals commit to a common goal.

Today, however, the former Shujaa captain is focused on creating new success stories from the technical bench.

Appointed KCB Rugby head coach on September 5, 2025, Amonde has wasted little time making his mark. Under his leadership, the Bankers have won back-to-back Kenya National Sevens Circuit titles, underlining their dominance in the shorter version of the game.

His first season at the helm also saw him guide KCB to the Kenya Cup final, where they faced arch-rivals Kabras Sugar RFC. Despite a spirited performance, the Bankers fell 14–8 to the defending champions, narrowly missing out on the coveted title.

For Amonde, the experience was a reminder that success in coaching requires more than a strong playing pedigree. It demands honest reflection, continuous learning and the ability to turn setbacks into opportunities for improvement.

Reflecting on his coaching journey, Amonde said: “The journey has been full of ups and downs, but it has been an interesting ride, especially winning the National Sevens Circuit back-to-back. Every experience has taught us something, and we continue to learn, grow and build a team capable of competing at the highest level.”

While the Kenya Cup final defeat remains a difficult experience, Amonde believes losses are valuable when teams are willing to examine their shortcomings and learn from them.

“For me, the most difficult losses are those where you know the team had the potential to achieve more but failed to execute when it mattered most. As a coach, the responsibility feels different because you must evaluate your preparation, decisions, systems and the team's execution,” he said.

“You cannot change yesterday's result, but you can influence the next performance.” Amonde’s rise to the technical bench was not an overnight success. His coaching journey was built on a solid foundation laid during his playing days, particularly under the guidance of former KCB head coach Curtis Olago, widely regarded as the club's most successful coach. 

 

His years as captain also shaped his understanding of leadership, equipping him with the ability to manage different personalities, motivate teammates and navigate difficult moments. These experiences have proved invaluable in his transition from player to coach.

“Being captain for many years was a great learning experience. I had to understand different personalities, motivate teammates, manage difficult moments and serve as a link between players and the technical team,” he said.

“As a captain, you learn that leadership is not just about giving instructions. It is about listening, setting an example, earning trust and taking responsibility, especially when things are not going well.”

Having experienced the demands of the game as a player, Amonde understands the importance of building trust and creating an environment where players feel valued while remaining accountable for their performance.

He is also supported by a relatively young technical bench, comprising several individuals with whom he shared the pitch during his playing career. The familiarity among the group has helped foster a collaborative environment as they work towards a common goal.

The technical team includes Assistant Coach Denis Mwanja, Forwards Coach Brian Nyikuli, Backs Coach Jacob Ojee, and Performance Analyst Peter Kilonzo. Sunlight Mulama serves as Assistant Team Manager, while Rocky Aguko is the Team Manager. Joseph Koly serves as the team doctor.

The club has also strengthened its technical capacity with the appointment of Bernard Rotich Kibet as skills coach. Rotich joins the Bankers from Kenyatta University's Blak Blad, bringing additional expertise to a team keen on sharpening its players' technical abilities ahead of the new season.

Beyond the experience gained on the pitch, Amonde has invested in formal coaching education to strengthen his technical understanding of the game. He holds World Rugby Level 1 and Level 2 certifications in both 15s and Sevens rugby coaching, as well as Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications in strength and conditioning coaching.

The qualifications have equipped him with practical skills in technical and tactical coaching, player development, physical preparation and performance management across both formats of the game. For Amonde, coaching is a continuous learning process, and a successful playing career does not automatically translate into coaching success.

“Do not assume that because you were a great player, coaching will automatically come naturally. Be humble enough to learn from experienced coaches, attend courses, study the game and accept constructive criticism,” he said.

He also emphasizes the importance of communication, patience and people management, noting that coaches must learn to turn their playing experiences into knowledge that helps others improve.

His approach at KCB reflects this philosophy, balancing high standards and discipline with a strong emphasis on understanding individual players. “I would describe my approach as a balance of high standards, discipline and man management. I expect players to be committed, punctual, professional and willing to put the team's objectives first,” he said.

“However, I also understand that modern coaching requires more than being strict. You must communicate your ideas, build relationships, understand individual needs and create an environment where players feel responsible for their own performance.”

For Amonde, managing egos is equally important in building a competitive team. He believes every player has a role to play, regardless of their reputation, experience or achievements. His approach involves setting clear expectations, offering honest feedback and understanding the individual needs of players while ensuring that personal ambitions never take precedence over collective success.

The philosophy aligns with KCB Rugby's emphasis on teamwork, discipline and accountability, values that Amonde believes will be central to the club's ambitions in the coming season. While the back-to-back National Sevens Circuit titles have provided a strong foundation, his ambitions extend beyond success in the shorter format. His ultimate goal is to restore KCB Rugby to its former glory in the 15s game, with the Kenya Cup firmly in his sights.

In a recent podcast, Amonde noted that: “I believe the work we have been doing over the past eight weeks and the investment by the sponsor, KCB, will make the team highly competitive. We want to take the team back to its glory days.”

To strengthen the squad ahead of the new season, KCB has recruited 13 players, including Timfox Esikuri, David Nyangige, Nygel Amaitsa, Salano Hillary, Randy Wamah, Fortune Aturo, Eric Ogutu, Innocent Murunda, Benson Kihiti, Collins Ngoko, Charles Osgood, Samson Mapesa and Collins Obure.

The new additions are expected to deepen the squad, increase competition for places and give the technical team greater options as it seeks to build a side capable of challenging for honours in both formats.

“At KCB, we are a family. We operate as a family, like the lion family in the jungle. We stick together, we play for each other, and we are courageous in what we do. That defines who we are. We want to go out there next season and put our best foot forward because we believe we have everything to compete,” added Amonde.

Away from the demands of rugby, Amonde describes himself as a simple, humble and family-oriented person who values his faith in God and the relationships he has built over the years.

He credits his family's love, support and understanding for helping him navigate the demands of professional rugby and coaching, acknowledging that life extends beyond the pitch. “I enjoy spending time with my family, connecting with friends and having moments of peace away from the demands of the game. I am also someone who believes in staying grounded, appreciating where I have come from and giving God the glory for how far He has brought me,” he said.

This grounding, he believes, is an important part of his leadership philosophy, helping him remain focused on the bigger picture while navigating the pressures and expectations that come with coaching a club of KCB's stature.

As the new 15s season approaches, KCB Rugby will begin its campaign at the Floodlights Rugby Tournament, where the Bankers are scheduled to face Menengai Oilers in the quarter-finals on October 17 at Impala Club.

The former Kenya Sevens captain knows what it takes to reach the summit of the game. Having experienced the highs of international success and the disappointments of narrow defeats, he is now applying those lessons from the technical bench, determined to help the next generation of KCB players write their own chapter in the club's rich rugby history.