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KRU Chairman Sasha Mutai resigns
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chairman Sasha Mutai during the interview on NTV sports show SportOn at Nation Centre, Nairobi on April 08, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Mutai’s reference to Muthee was significant, as the former KRU chairman also stepped down under similar circumstances in December 2014, citing boardroom wrangles and an unwillingness to work with individuals he accused of corruption.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Sasha Mutai has resigned from his position, citing internal board wrangles and political challenges within the union.
Mutai, who served for two years and three months, announced his resignation during a Special General Meeting (SGM) convened at the RFUEA Grounds on Friday to address concerns regarding his leadership.
“I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to defend myself, but it’s all on record with everything I have done. Maybe I am not a good politician… maybe I don't know how to cajole,” said Mutai during the meeting.
“I can read the mood in the room, and I can now follow a person whom I looked up to, Mwangi Muthee. I wish to tender my resignation as chairman,” he added.
Mutai’s reference to Muthee was significant, as the former KRU chairman also stepped down under similar circumstances in December 2014, citing boardroom wrangles and an unwillingness to work with individuals he accused of corruption.
Smear campaign
He claimed his decision was prompted by fraudulent practices within the board, including the alleged election of three members using forged Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) certificates. He further alleged that two other members had refused to vacate office despite reaching their term limits.
He also accused KRU Secretary General Ray Olendo — who sponsored the motion seeking his removal — of orchestrating a smear campaign.
“I will take this to court since my name out there has been tarnished,” he said.
Mutai has been at loggerheads with Olendo and vice chairman Moses Ndale, with the parties trading accusations and dragging each other to court over integrity issues.
Mutai had survived two no-confidence motions at the March 24 Annual General Meeting after the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) intervened and halted the process, ordering arbitration.
Olendo had been suspended from the board on August 4, 2023, for allegedly presenting a forged CRB certificate.
However, the SDT later ruled on March 5, 2024, that his suspension was illegal and declared it null and void. The tribunal also noted that the determination of any breach of data privacy regarding the forged CRB documents fell outside its mandate.
Mutai has also faced accusations of embezzling Sh13.2 million through alleged illegal payments to vendors who failed to deliver services. He has denied all the allegations, maintaining his innocence.
Multiple motions have been filed against both Mutai and other board members. Kisumu and Bungoma Rugby Clubs accused him of lacking leadership and transparency, while Mwamba Rugby Club chairman Jason Braganza filed a separate motion targeting vice chairman Moses Ndale, treasurer Joshua Aroni, and director John Kilonzo, all of whom were said to have overstayed their term limits of eight years.
Ndale was also accused of financial malpractice, while Olendo was once again cited for presenting forged CRB credentials in the March 29, 2023, union elections, in which he was re-elected.
A faction of board members led by Ndale and Olendo met on March 6 and purported to oust Mutai, accusing him of sponsoring disruptive motions, even though Mwamba later withdrew theirs.
Mutai responded by seeking legal redress at the Sports Disputes Tribunal on March 12, which barred the board from removing him until the case is heard.