Kenya Harlequin Rugby Football Club has taken a dramatic turn in dealing with its prolonged player unrest, with the club leadership today naming 38 players who are set to be released after weeks of boycotts and tension within the camp.
The crisis, which began shortly after Embu 7s, saw Quins players down their tools citing frustrations with the club’s payment structure. According to insiders, the squad had not been training for weeks, forcing the management to plead with a handful of players to turn up for Kabeberi 7s.
On Saturday, the situation reached boiling point during a meeting at the RFUEA Grounds, where the leadership made it clear, players had to adhere to the payment plan or request to leave.
“The message from the management was very direct, either you accept the terms or walk away. Majority of us felt we couldn’t continue like this and we asked for our release letters,” one senior player told Two5four on condition of anonymity.
Later that evening, the matter was escalated to the club’s official WhatsApp group, where a poll was conducted. Shockingly, over 30 players voted in favor of leaving if the current payment model remained unchanged.
True to their word, Quins management has now listed 38 players who are expected to collect their official release letters from the Director of Rugby (DOR).
In a message circulated to the squad, the DOR wrote:
“Good morning Gents,
Kindly note that the DoR will be at the club from 5pm. Those who want to collect their transfer forms can collect them from him.
Do have a blessed day ya’ll.”
The list of those departing includes a blend of senior figures and rising talents such as Abel Matanda, Collins Bett, Frank Aduda, Marvin Nganga, Shaquel Bosire, Albert Alela, Wycliffe Ochieng, Antony Stephen Otieno, Charlton Mokua, Bill Austine Abuom, Brian Ratila, Sheldon Kahi, Amon Wamalwa, Paul Matani, Franklin Githinji and many more.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Kenya Harlequin Chairman Victor Sudi were unsuccessful at the time of publishing this report.
This sweeping exit leaves Quins at a critical juncture. While the move may signal a hardline stance by the leadership to enforce financial discipline, it also raises serious questions about the club’s ability to field a competitive side in the upcoming Kenya Cup season.
English