Table of Contents
- Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has stoked a fierce fire with a fresh ouster bid for chairman
- KRU chair Alexander ‘Sasha’ Mutai is fighting for his seat on the board
- SG Ray Olendo made a motion of no-confidence against him on Friday
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has stoked a fierce fire with a fresh ouster bid for incumbent KRU chairman Alexander ‘Sasha’ Mutai.
Things are expected to boil by Friday evening following a special general meeting (SGM) in the afternoon, where a motion of no-confidence against Mutai will be tabled.
Ray Olendo, the KRU secretary-general, is sponsoring the motion against the current chair. The SGM will be held at KRU’s RFUEA Grounds located along Ngong Road, Nairobi.
Kenya Rugby Union vs Sasha Mutai
Olendo, in his motion, claims the besieged chairman has embezzled Ksh13.2 million through illegal payments to parties that supplied ‘air.’
The KRU SG added that Mutai instructed the CEO, Thomas Odundo to effect payment to a firm that failed to offer any accommodation services for the men’s national rugby 15s team in 2024.
Further, the firm paid by the chair also did not provide liability cover for the 2024 Safari 7s event held in Machakos.
There were no laundry services or support, yet it was within the scope of service that the Kenya Rugby Union hired for.
Part of the motion according to Capital Sports News read: “The above invoices were presented to the CEO of Kenya Rugby Union (Thomas Odundo) and was directed to make payments with clear knowledge that the said companies did not provide any services to the union as alleged on the invoices leading to misappropriation and or embezzlement of KES 13.2 million by the chairman, Mr Alexander Mutai.”
Embattled Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Alexander Sasha Mutai. Photo/X/RagaHouse
Trouble between Mutai and KRU leadership started on March 7. A letter circulated to different newsrooms and online stating Mutai was suspended following a directive by the board.
KRU board suspended him on a motion of no-confidence tabled before it. However, embattled Mutai moved to the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) and sought an injunction to overturn the board’s ruling.
The tribunal, while issuing an injunction, directed the Kenya Rugby Union, Mutai and other warring parties to resolve their differences.
Adjourned Annual General Meeting
In light of SDT’s directive, KRU adjourned its annual general meeting slated for March 24 to give mediation a chance.
On April 24, the Sports Dispute Tribunal ruled in Mutai’s favour and reinstated him as the Kenya Rugby Union chair.
The tribunal cited unfairness and a lack of proper procedure by the board when it suspended him on March 7.
It has been a push and pull between the chair and KRU. He said in his defence that the accusations of embezzlement were driven by malice.
Mutai, even before going to the tribunal, insisted that he was still the KRU chair, noting that the suspension by the board was unprocedural.
He rubbished the letter about his suspension sent out by KRU Vice Chair Moses Ndale.
Kenya Rugby 7s at a past match with Wales. Photo/Kenya Page
World Rugby Responds
Following the wrangles between Mutai and the Kenya Rugby Union, World Rugby warned that this was a recipe for disaster for the union.
World Rugby’s chief of International Federation David Carrigy expressed concern that there would be a governance void should there be an empty seat on the board.
Carrigy urged KRU to devise a mitigation plan to cushion the union from governance pitfalls following their SGM on Friday, May 30.
The World Rugby chief expressed his distaste with KRU over its refusal to reply to his letter seeking clarification on what is happening with Mutai.
World Rugby sent two letters, dated April 24 and May 22, to the Kenya Rugby Union, hoping to get correspondence, but it is yet to happen.
