- Mutai was elected unopposed
- The elections were marred with a myriad of court cases
- Former Kenya Sevens captain Humphrey Kayange was also elected into the board
The Kenya Rugby Union has a new man at the helm after Alexander “Sasha”Mutai was elected the new Chairman unopposed, taking over from Oduor Gangla who had served two terms. The elections were finally held after some period of uncertainty
The polls were to take place on Friday last week, but failed following a High Court order after an application by Sports Registrar Rose Wasike.
However, the order was lifted on Monday after the aggrieved parties reached a consensus.
Meanwhile, Mioses Ndale beat Ombui Ratemo in the closely contested vice chairman polls after getting 19 votes against Ombui’s 16. Raymond Olendo was also elected as the new Secretary General.
He earned 18 votes to beat Oscar Mango, who got 17. Joshua Aroni retained his position as the treasurer unopposed.
Kayange elected into the KRU board
Meanwhile, former Shujaa captain Humphrey Kayange was elected as one of the six Directors at the Union.
Kayange, who is also an athlete representative at the National Olympic Committee of Kenya and the International Olympic Committee earned 18 votes, and was elected alongside Leslie Mwangale, who amassed 19 votes.
Others who were elected into the board are Ochieng Ahaya, Harriet Aching, Moses Mukabane and John Kilonzo.
The Union’s new leadership, under Mutai, now has its work cut out to save a sport that has been slowly choked with lack of funds and departure of trust from sponsors.
New chairman Mutai says he will do all within his means to ensure that the game regains the respect it once commanded.
“The team that I have gotten is very capable. I know everyone on that team. Rugby is a team game and no one can do this alone. Everyone on that team has got their own merits and talent and my role as chair will be to harness these talents and work together to bring the game back up,” Mutai said.
Performance of national teams
His immediate concern will be the national teams especially the Union’s flagship brand Kenya Sevens who are struggling at the World Rugby Sevens Series.
The 15s, who are due to play in the Currie Cup are also a concern as they start a rebuild following last year’s World Cup qualification failure.
“The short term is to get the 15s and 7s sides the best training environment that we can. For the 15s, we have to get them to the World Cup. That starts now and indeed, they are supposed to compete in the Currie Cup so we have to make sure that that happens. For the Kenya 7s, in the past week we managed to get them residential training in Kasarani,” Mutai said.
On taking the game back to the top, Mutai said;
“What we are going to do is bring back confidence. We want to run it like a business. What we are going to do is to bring back the partners. We are calling them partners and not sponsors because we are going to give them value as they give value back and work together to grow this game.”
Kenya Rugby Union Election Results
Chairman:
Alexander “Sasha”Mutai – Unopposed
Vice Chairman:
Moses Ndale elected Vice Chairman
Honorary Secretary
Raymond Olendo elected Secretary
Honorary Treasurer
Dr. Joshua Aroni – unopposed
Directors (By Election)
Leslie Mwangale, Humphrey Kayange
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