Mombasa United Assistant Head coach Andrew Kanuli is dead
The Kenyan football fraternity has been thrust into mourning following the sudden demise of Mombasa United Assistant Head coach Andrew Rix Kanuli on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 while undergoing treatment.
Rix passed on at the Coast General Hospital after a brief illness.
He is credited as a key architect of the club’s impressive National Super League (NSL) campaign.
His death comes only days after travelling with the team for their away clash against Soy United.
Mombasa United General Manager Gilbert Wesonga described the loss as a massive setback to the club.
“This news has hit us very hard. We have lost an important pillar in our plans as a team,” said Wesonga.
He explained that the coach had returned safely with the squad over the weekend but later developed complications.
“Coach Rix was with us during the Soy United match, but after returning home he became weak. He was taken to hospital on Wednesday afternoon and sadly passed on later in the evening while undergoing treatment,” he added.
Rix previously served as head coach of Nzoia Sugar FC and Borabu Bomachoge FC, and also worked as an assistant coach at Shabana FC.
Bidco FC head coach Anthony Akhulia paid an emotional tribute to his close friend and colleague.
“It is heartbreaking to lose you, my brother Andrew Rix Kanuli. You were a close friend, a classmate in our CAF C course, a fellow Arsenal supporter, and a true companion in our coaching journey. Football has lost one of its brightest minds. Rest well, brother,” Akhulia wrote.
Mombasa United president Abdirahman AnzaFresh also expressed shock at the sudden loss, describing Rix as a coach with clear vision and ambition.
“We are still coming to terms with his passing. He had big plans for this team, and although this is a painful moment, we will continue pushing forward to honor his legacy,” said AnzaFresh.
