Kisia resigns as Strathmore Leos head coach

Strathmore Leos head coach Louis Kisia has resigned. 

Speaking from Montevideo, Uruguay, where he is with the Kenya Sevens team preparing for the second leg of their Challenger Series this weekend,  Kisia observed that March 1 was his final day with the institution.

The former Mwamba tactician, who is an assistant coach in the Kenya Sevens team, cited differences in rugby philosophy and ideology with caretaker coach Willis Ojal as one of his reasons for resignation. 

Ojal was brought on board to steer Leos as Kisia focused on Shujaa.

Kisia said Ojal was appointed without his consent leading to a clash of ideals.

He thinks that: “Anyone who comes in to assist must be on the same page and philosophy as the leader. Furthermore, he was appointed without my consent which puts me in a precarious position.” 

Kisia said he has been unfairly accused of Leos' poor performance in the Kenya Cup.

“It has been a tough season but there are people who think my absence from the team has coincided with the team's poor form in the league this season, which is not the case,” said Kisia. 

When contacted, Ojal said he did not want to delve into Kisia's statement. Instead, he is focused on the task ahead.

"I was called by the University for an interview, passed the test and took charge of the team. It's not in my interest to reply to what Kisia said," observed Ojal.

The former Nondies coach has a job to evade relegation.

"The management was categorical; ensure we don't drop. So far so good. We have won two matches and we have a chance of making the playoffs," he said.

Strathmore are seventh on the log with 20 points from 10 matches.

Following a promising start to the campaign, where they won their opening two matches, the Madaraka-based side lost six matches in a row but have since bounced back and have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs later this month.

Kisia, however, expressed his gratitude to the Leos.

“I want to express my gratitude for the opportunities that I have had in coaching the team. It has been a great honour working with the boys," noted Kisia.

He will, in the short term, concentrate on the Sevens team as they embark on their journey to reclaim core status.

"For now, it's about Shujaa. But in the long term, I will see if there will be any opportunities to coach in the 15s game," he said. 

Kisia guided Strathmore from the Championship to the Kenya Cup in  2020 after being relegated in the 2018-2019 season.

He also catapulted the team to the Kenya Cup semis in the 2020-2021 season and 2021 -2022 season. 

He also steered the side to the 2022 East Africa University Games, Embu Sevens and the Christie Sevens crowns.