Kenya Police FC has officially appointed Burundian manager Etienne Ndayiragije as the club’s new head coach, marking a fresh chapter for the team following a turbulent period. The announcement comes just 9 days after the club dismissed its entire technical bench, led by Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani and his assistant Salim Babu, due to a series of unsatisfactory performances.
In a statement, the club expressed optimism about Ndayiragije’s arrival, emphasizing its aspirations for growth and stability:
“We officially unveil Ndayiragije Etienne as Head Coach. Coach Etienne takes the reins to lead us into an exciting chapter of ambition and growth.”
The 45-year-old brings extensive experience to the role, having previously managed the national teams of Tanzania and Burundi. His most recent assignment was with Burundi, where he served from January 2023 until October 2024. However, his tenure ended following a string of poor results in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which included three consecutive losses to Senegal and Burkina Faso. He was replaced by Belgium’s Patrick Sangwa.
Before his stint with Burundi, Ndayiragije led Tanzania’s Taifa Stars from 2019 to 2021. At the club level, he has also managed Tanzanian side Azam FC and Burundi’s Vital’O FC, showcasing a career steeped in both national and club football.
The club underscored the significance of his appointment: “Renowned for his expertise and winning mindset, Coach Etienne’s appointment signals our commitment to achieving excellence both on and off the pitch.”
Ndayiragije, who replaces both Kimani and Babu, faces the immediate challenge of guiding Kenya Police FC out of the relegation zone, with the team currently positioned 17th in the league standings. His first test will be a league match against AFC Leopards on Sunday, December 1.
Expressing his readiness to take on the challenge, Ndayiragije said:
“It feels great being here, and I’m ready for work. I can’t wait to get started.”
As the club looks to stabilize its performance since being promoted to the top tier in 2021, all eyes will be on the new head coach to see if he can deliver the turnaround Kenya Police FC desperately needs.