I can understand that, situationally, there are reasons one might want to punch instead of kick or vice versa. But what mechanical advantage is there to kicking instead of punching, if any? It seems that kicking merely costs you a Combat Pool die without netting any damage increase. Due to the questionable organisation of the text I'm wondering if I've just missed something, or if there really isn't anything beyond situational constraints.
I'm not all that familiar with TROS, but researching it, there are a couple of differences.
For a punch, damage is STR - 2, or STR - 1 if your hand is covered in something hard. For a kick, damage is STR - 1, or STR if striking surface is covered in something hard.
So yes, there is a damage difference between leg and hand strikes.
Range is different, all hand techniques are "hand", leg can be "hand" for a knee or "short" for the shin/foot.
Additionally, the kick attack is restricted to zones I, II, VI or VIII.
My source for this was found at http://tros.thewestwinds.net/index.php?title=Main_Page under the combat maneuvers section.