Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) is embroiled in leadership turmoil following a contentious board meeting that resulted in the “suspension” of Chairman Alexander ‘Sasha’ Mutai. The move comes amid a fresh attempt by affiliates to impeach him, marking the second such effort since his election in March 2023. A previous bid to oust him failed last year.
In a letter addressed to KRU’s Honorary Secretary, the board declared that Mutai’s suspension was effective immediately. This decision paves the way for a motion of no confidence, set for discussion at the KRU Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 24, 2025.
Mutai faces accusations of gross mismanagement, breach of fiduciary duty, and failure to uphold governance standards. Allegations stem from irregularities surrounding the 2023 and 2024 Safari Sevens tournaments and the controversial appointment of Stephen Sewe as Kenya 7s Team Manager.
One of the key charges against Mutai involves his alleged unilateral decision to hand over management of the 2023 Safari Sevens tournament to an external agency linked to a close associate, without board approval. The agency allegedly failed to settle debts amounting to Kshs. 12 million, despite generating revenue from the event, leaving the union in financial distress.
Further claims suggest that for the 2024 edition of the tournament, Mutai bypassed procurement protocols and excluded the Secretariat and relevant committees from critical decision-making processes. The financial handling of these events has raised serious governance concerns within the union.
The controversy extends beyond financial mismanagement. Mutai is accused of appointing Sewe as Kenya 7s Team Manager without following due process. This decision is believed to have resulted in logistical failures, including missed flights for the Shujaa team during the Challenger Series and incomplete travel arrangements ahead of the Vancouver 7s campaign, leading to financial losses.
Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding Mutai’s alleged interference in the leadership of rugby clubs in Western Kenya, potentially undermining their independence and causing instability within the sport.
Despite the board’s declaration, Mutai has strongly refuted the suspension, dismissing it as an “attempted coup” orchestrated by Secretary General Raymond Olendo. He maintains that the suspension was not conducted through proper channels and insists that only the Legal and Disciplinary Committee has the authority to make such a decision.
The leadership wrangles extend beyond Mutai, as earlier this week, there were motions seeking the removal of not just the chairman, but also Secretary General Olendo, Honorary Secretary Moses Ndale, and Treasurer Joshua Aroni. These motions were later withdrawn following internal consultations within the rugby fraternity, including the Kenya Cup caucus, which had also raised concerns over governance issues.
Other KRU officials have also faced scrutiny. Treasurer Aroni and Vice Chair Bernard Kilonzo have been accused of exceeding their term limits as outlined in the Sports Act 2013, having served for nine and eight years, respectively. Olendo, on the other hand, has faced allegations related to a forged Credit Reference Bureau document presented during the 2023 elections. Though initially suspended over the matter, he successfully contested the decision in the Sports Disputes Tribunal, which ruled his suspension illegal.
With divisions within the KRU board widening and allegations mounting on multiple fronts, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the leadership future of Kenyan rugby. The AGM in March 2025 is expected to be a decisive battleground, with Mutai and other officials fighting to retain their positions amidst intense scrutiny.
