Kenya: Nation’s Rugby Union Go to Polls Today At the RFUEA Ground

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

William Njuguna

30 March 2011

A fierce battle is expected when the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) goes to the polls to vote in a new office today.

Unlike previous years, where it has been a low quiet election, today’s election promises fireworks with clubs, fans and pundits calling for change.

Incumbent chairman Richard Omwela faces the fight of his life as he battles with Mwangi Muthee, who is expected to give him a run for his money. Mwangi contested the seat last year but lost to Omwela but is optimistic of leading the union this time round.

“Everywhere I have gone in the country, the clubs and provinces are asking for change and it’s time we get a new office to push rugby forward,” said Muthee.

His blue print will be to model rugby provinces into sub-unions like it is done in New Zealand and South Africa as well as taking the game to the grassroots. “We just concentrate rugby matters in Nairobi and few other towns. We need to spread rugby into other parts of the country and now with a new constitution and county governments we need to spread the game even more,” noted Muthee.

He believes the current office has given the 15s rugby a team a raw deal in favour of the sevens team. “The current office has given precedence to the sevens team at the expense of the 15s,” he added.

Players from the leading clubs like Quins, Impala and KCB have waded in and said it’s time for change. The players believe they are short-changed with no sponsorship for the Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup and poor remuneration in the Bamburi Rugby Super Series.

One player, who sought for anonymity said they are paid less than Sh1,000 in the Super Series as the top brass union officials allocate themselves huge perks. “It’s unacceptable. Over the years we have been paid peanuts yet we play hard the whole year and it’s time for change,” said the player. Plans by the union to move the venue of the election to Nairobi Club were thwarted by most of the delegates who insisted the election be held at the RFUEA grounds.

AllAfrica – All the Time