Kabras Sugar Scrum half Roy Maruti/HANDOUTKabras Sugar scrum half Roy Maruti has admitted that he fell short of his expectations during the recently concluded national sevens circuit but insists he has the potential to become one of Kenya’s leading rugby players.
Maruti, who is determined to raise his game, says he has identified areas that need improvement and has stepped up his individual training after the Sevens season.
"My fitness was good, but I was not doing the extras. As a scrum half, you need those to compete at higher levels. Players playing in my position were all-round,” he said. “As a player, I know where I should improve because I know where my weaknesses are,” he added.
Maruti said he had since been working on his overall understanding of the game, with particular emphasis on set pieces, as he seeks to establish himself among the country’s top players. “Since the sevens season ended, I have been working on myself to understand the game more. I have also worked on set pieces, and even when going to Uganda, I was feeling at my best,” he said.
Despite his mixed assessment of the season, Maruti has enjoyed notable achievements, including captaining Kenya’s Under-20 side, Chipu, to a second-place finish at the Rugby Africa Barthés U20 Trophy in April 2025.
He also featured for Kabras Sugar during their triumph at the Kampala Sevens before turning out for invitational side Wonder 7s at the recently concluded Safari Sevens in Nairobi.
Kabras finished second in the national sevens circuit with 107 points, but Maruti insists playing for the Kakamega-based club comes with no undue pressure, provided a player understands its structures and expectations.
“I don’t feel any pressure playing for a club like Kabras Sugar. If you understand the structure and the programme of the team, I think you will have an easier time,” he said.
The scrum half is now targeting more silverware with the Millers as he continues to work towards realising his ambitions. “I’m aiming to win other trophies with Kabras,” he said. “I have potential. It’s just that I have not played to my full potential yet, but I know I am a good player and I know I can deliver.”
Maruti also backed the national team selection for the Safari Sevens, conceding that his performances had not warranted inclusion.
“How I played on the local circuit, I knew I did not deserve to feature for the national team during the recent Safari Sevens because that would have denied someone who had a great campaign a chance. I believe the team selection was good, but I am hoping to work my way to the top,” he said.
He described his appearance for Wonder 7s at the Safari Sevens as another valuable learning opportunity, particularly in game management and responding to mistakes.
“Playing for Wonder 7s at the Safari Sevens was a good experience. I learnt a great deal about skills and how to manage the game. I also learnt how to work on mistakes faster and move on to the next subject,” Maruti said.
