Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chairman Sasha Mutai during the interview on NTV sports show SportOn at Nation Centre, Nairobi on April 08, 2024.
Did Alexander Kiplagat Mutai also known as Sasha Mutai dig his own grave at the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) and will his resignation as chairman end the incessant wrangles in the board?
Mutai resigned last Friday during a Special General Meeting (SGM) that had been convened following a motion of no confidence that had been brought against him by 13 clubs to answer corruption allegations.
Mutai’s deputy Moses Ndale was elevated to the top seat on an acting capacity for two weeks before the board appoints a new chairman from among its members, as per the union’s constitution.
The board, made by of 14 members of whom 10 have voting rights, had earlier proposed the suspension of Mutai on May 5, this year for alleged misappropriation and/or embezzlement of Sh13.2 million from KRU, allegations that Mutai dismissed and vowed to take legal action against the board.
In a board paper signed by Olendo, it was alleged that Mutai wanted Sh1.4m paid to Rabaha General Enterprise Kenya for Kenya Simba’s accommodation during a local camp, Sh2m paid to Lengue Limited for provision of event liability cover for 2024 Safari Sevens in Machakos and Sh6m also to Lengue Limited for management services for Safari Sevens.
Also Double Take Holdings Limited was to be paid Sh3.8m for provision of team laundry and support as the board paper noted that invoices for the mentioned expenses were presented to the CEO of Kenya Rugby Union who was directed to make payments despite the said companies not providing any services to the Union as alleged.
Mutai had expressed concerns over the conduct by some KRU board members whom he accused of being elected fraudulently in 2023 after presenting fake Credit Reference Board (CRB) among other corruption activities, matters he took to Sports Dispute Tribunal and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Kenya Rugby Union Vice Chairman Moses Ndale speaks during the EABL sponsorship announcement for the 2024 Safari Sevens in Nairobi on September 24, 2024.
"Some members were looking to eject me as chairman because of some allegations of dictatorship and the rest. I read the mood in the room, and I have decided to tender my resignation as chairman because of certain things that I cannot compromise such as my integrity,” said Mutai.
Mutai said he loved the game having been a director, vice chairman and chairman for two years where he brought back sponsors, and got Kenya Sevens promoted back to the World Rugby Sevens Series.
“But, unfortunately, members of my board have questions of integrity. I had three board members who received three forged CRB certificates and two members who refused to vacate office and they had reached their term limits and they all ganged up. But unfortunately, it is democracy,” said Mutai.
Mutai threw in the towel just like his mentor, Mwangi Muthee, who resigned as KRU chairman in December 2014 after he raised concern over the integrity of some board members.
Mutai was elected unopposed on March 29, 2023 during the delayed elections after the incumbent chairman Oduor Gangla opted not to defend his seat with Joe Onsando, who was the other aspirant for the top seat, backing out.
The elections were ordered by the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) on February 14, 2023 after it had nullified polls held September 6, 2022 saying it had massive irregularities.
The flawed process had seen the election of Joshua Aroni as treasurer, Moses Ndale (vice chairman), Ian Mugambi (secretary general) and Oscar Mango and Leslie Mwangale (directors).
SDT ruled that Sports Registrar Rose Wasike interfered with the elections, especially when she allowed County Associations that were not KRU affiliates to participate in the exercise.
Even though the County Associations are registered with the Sports Registrar, they can only become KRU affiliates after approval from members according to the KRU constitution.
Wasike challenged the SDT ruling at the High Court. However, Sports Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke intervened and a consensus was reached to have the order withdrawn for elections to proceed.
An AGM that was chaired by Mutai and later Ndale on March 26, last year, was filled with acrimony heightened by the presence of armed Policemen to ostensibly provide security at the meeting.
Members shot down the accounts report presented by the union’s treasurer Joshua Aroni demanding for more explanations and clarification on figures presented.
Members took issued with figures given for the World Rugby Junior Trophy (WRJT) which took place in July, last year at the Nyayo National Stadium and the Elgon Cup that ended on November 11, 2023 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Kisumu.
Members wanted to know how Aroni arrived at Sh152m as expenses incurred for the WRJT and how Sh58m was used on the Rugby Africa Barthes Trophy championship alongside Sh71 spent on Kenya Sevens team and Sh27m on Kenya Simbas.
The meeting failed to adopt the board’s 2024/2024 Strategic Plan claiming that there was no adequate members’ engagement on it.
The no confidence motion sponsored by Kisumu Rugby Club and Bungoma Rugby Club against Mutai was brought up at the AGM but Western Bulls and KCB questioned the validity of the motion stating that they had not been served.
Mutai, who survived the motion, adjourned the meeting but members called for an SGM that never materialised.
Mutai had tussled with the KRU Secretary General Ray Olendo who was suspended from the union board on August 4, 2023 for allegedly presenting a forged CRB document.
Olendo was also accused of conflict of interest dealings where a law firm he is associated with has been representing the union since 2019.
However, Olendo sought legal redress at the SDT that ruled in his favour on March 5, this year, indicating that his suspension was illegal and a nullity.
Two votes of no confidence motions against Mutai were brought up ahead of the March 24 AGM with the intention of suspending the chairman.
The motions brought by Kisumu Rugby Club and Bungoma Rugby Club, accused Mutai of lack of leadership and transparency in the management of KRU. Ndale and Olendo also wanted Mutai suspended.
“During his campaigns and as part of his manifesto, Mutai promised to resource clubs to make them effectively participate in the leagues,” said Kisumu in their motion. “Since he assumed office there hasn’t been any payment to clubs as a support subsidy.”
Kisumu claimed that despite KRU continuing to receive money from its media partner, the shared portion of the funds has not been released to the clubs in support of the participating team in the domestic league.
Separately, Mwamba Rugby Club also filed motions ahead of the AGM, seeking the removal of Olendo, Ndale, Aroni and director John Kilonzo.
Mwamba wanted Olendo, who was re-elected on March 29, 2023 kicked out for allegedly presenting a forged CRB. They argued that Aroni and Kilonzo had overstayed in office.
Mutai charged that the “cartels” he had helped to bring down at KRU were fighting back to destabilise the running of the game.
However, the AGM was adjourned to pave the way for mediation following an SDT ruling that stopped Mutai’s vote of no confidence and suspension. But the mediation aborted and SDT eventually ruled Mutai remains as chairman.
Mutai versus Olendo and the board battles spilled over to the aborted National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) elections where the KRU boss sought election as a committee member in Shadrack Maluki's camp.
According to NOC-K 2025 Rules and Regulations, both the chairman and secretary of a federation are required to agree who will vote in elections.
Mutai endorsed himself while Olendo got the nod from the board, a move that saw World Rugby express concern over the governance challenges at KRU. WR threatened to intervene if the board failed to resolve the wrangles.
"In the event that a clear pathway to resolve the governance issues are not resolved and problems persist, the World Rugby Executive Board may have to consider the oversight and control of KRU and its continued membership of World Rugby," warned David Carringy, World Rugby Chief of International Federation in a letter dated May 29, this year.
Hidden in these wrangles is the KRU annual budget of close to Sh500m and the fight to control it.
All eyes are now on Ndale, and the board, and how they will navigate what is a decidedly trying time in the management of this game played by gentleman.
