Richard Omwela returns to new Kenya Rugby Union

Richard Omwela announcing his candidature for the Kenya Rugby Union Chairmanship on Feb.25, 2015 at KRU Grounds.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

Richard Omwela was voted back into office as the new Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman on Tuesday.

Omwela garnered 25 votes against Gabriel Ouko's 18 during the union's Annual General Meeting at the Kenya Harlequins grounds.

"This is a new dawn for the union. I pledge to bring the federation back to its former glory," said Omwela, a lawyer by profession.

Ouko, who is the federation treasurer and was acting chairman since the resignation of Mwangi Muthee, accepted defeat saying he will live to fight another say.

Seven other candidates vied for the four vacant director posts and the winners are Rejinder Sembi (34 votes), Paula Lanko (28), Ian Mugambi (28) and Oscar Mango (31).

The election was presided over by Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch, the Sports Registrar's official and the National Olympics Committee Kenya (Nock) representative James Chacha. 

Sasha Mutai's-led faction missed the funtion.

Oluoch said the elections were done in accordance to the KRU constitution hence contestants who failed to avail themselves yesterday should blame nobody.

"I urge those elected today to lay their lives for the game. Its your great reputation that will attract sponsors, "Oluoch said.

Chacha called for a better working relations between KRU and Nock.

However, the elections were not smooth as members present failed to adopt and ratify the annual report and consolidated financial statements, which they stated did not reflect the true expenditure of the federation.

The statement was rejected following proposal presented by Impala Saracens chairman Oduor Gangla over loopholes in the annual financial report.

The members unanimously agreed ask KRU executive committee to work on a new financial statement that will truly reflect the federation revenues and expenses for the year ended 2014.

Mombasa based Spartans chairman Nils Achayo also blamed the federation for not allowing him to vote.