Coup in the offing? Clubs want entire Board out, citing integrity issues, but KRU dismisses it

Two weeks after the resignation of Mwangi Muthee as Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chairman, the union is headed for murkier waters with clubs now demanding a special general meeting to kick out the entire board.

“Pursuant to clause 12.3.2 of the constitution of the Kenya Rugby Union (hereinafter the union), we the undersigned members petition the secretary of the union to convene a special general meeting within 21 days of the date hereof to consider motions and put to vote the resultant resolutions moved by Stormers Rugby Club and seconded by ourselves.

“In the event that the notice is not issued  within 7 days of the above date we shall be left with no option but to convene a special general meeting pursuant to clause 12.3.5.a (ii) within 21 days of the date of this letter,” said the notice dated January 8.

Stormers chairman Kennedy Wasonga, said: “Be it resolved pursuant to clause 10.12(b) of the constitution that all union the board members (Directors and Officers) be removed from office;

“Be it resolved pursuant section 1.4 of the by-laws that those implicated in the serious allegations to be barred from participation in new elections and that, after investigation and due-process disciplinary action, prosecution be preferred against the culprits,” he said.

“We Stormers RFC Members of the Union hereby move the following motion:

Motion of No Confidence in the Union board: Whereas the union board is charged with the responsibility of directing the affairs of the union in accordance with section 5 of the constitution the current union board through its conduct continues to bring disrepute to the game of rugby.

Pursuant to section 1.3 of the By-laws, the union board has failed to uphold its responsibility as covered persons by the code of conduct.

The game of Rugby Union, the world over, is built on inalienable co-values of: integrity, respect, solidarity, passion and discipline, top of which is integrity.

“The current Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Board has been put in the spotlight, complaints being over conduct bordering on fraud by the members. Among the complaints are those coming from sponsors as expressed through an intermediary, the Rugby Patrons Society and are self-explanatory as attached.

“As stakeholders of the KRU, we hereby are calling for the entire KRU Board to be dissolved immediately.

“We wish to pass a vote-of-no-confidence on the entire Board and call for fresh elections to constitute a new Board.

But KRU Secretary Eddie Omondi dismissed the calls for a special general meeting. “We are calling their bluff,” he declared.

“Some clubs have told us they are being impersonated and that asked that any signature purported to have come from them should be investigated,” said Omondi.

“We are waiting for the formal letter to reach us and we will investigate the authenticity of the signatures and if they are representative of the clubs,” he said.

Mwangi resigned on December 16, two days after resignations by two board members Godwin Karuga and Maurice Masiga as the performance of the Sevens team continued on a downward spiral.

One week earlier, South African Paul Treu, had quite as the sevens coach. Karuga was the Safaricom Safari Sevens Tournament Director for two seasons and the director in charge of commercials. Masiga was a co-opted board member.

KRU hitherto positive image suffered a body blow when the Rugby Patrons Society (RPS) raised serious concerns by sponsors, some touching on alleged inappropriate conduct by some directors.

They minced no words and, in a brief by Ambassador Dennis Awori, even called for the resignation of four top directors – chairman, vice chairman, secretary and treasurer.

“The KRU Board requested that a written summary of the comments by the various sponsors be made available in order that the KRU Board addresses them. A copy was duly forwarded to the KRU chair,” says RPS chairman Gordon Weston in a letter dated October 31 last year addressed to the secretary.