By BS Mulavi

Nairobi, Kenya: The saga in the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) after the sacking and reinstatement of the National Sevens Coach, Mike Friday, appears far from over.

The event took a dramatic turn on Monday as the Director of National Squads and Elite Performance Philip Jalang’o was suspended.

In a press statement sent to media houses on Monday night, the KRU suspended the former Harlequin chairman pending a disciplinary hearing. The release, which wasn’t signed by any KRU official, read:

“Further to the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Board meeting held on Monday 27th May, 2013 at the Kenya Rugby Union offices, the Board suspends Mr Philip Jalango, Director National Squads and Elite Performance, from the board with immediate effect. He is therefore not authorized to act or speak on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union &/or its affiliates pending a disciplinary hearing.

“He is further suspended from participation in any Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) sanctioned activities. The National Squads and Elite Performance committee has been reconstituted with Mr Gabriel Ouko as the Convener.”

These were the same sentiments that KRU chairman Mwangi Muthee uttered when Friday was fired and rehired by the board a few weeks ago. When contacted for comment by FeverPitch, Jalang’o confirmed that he was not present in the board meeting and that he had indeed received a letter from the Union that was signed by the chairman.

Jalang’o further opted to have a written interview, with the fear of being misquoted, on his suspension:

“I am yet to see the minutes of the meeting. However, it is a sad day for rugby as some people have chosen to throw corporate governance out of the window. It was an illegal decision that does not respect the constitution. The board has no power to suspend a fellow board member and I am disheartened that the action shed bad credibility to the board. The constitution of KRU is what binds us, if we fail to live by it then we invite anarchy into the game.”

Jalango said he feels that he is still rightfully a director because he holds an elective post and that his next course of action will be dictated by the contents of the minutes of the Board meeting which he was yet to receive.

“Unfortunately, some board members are using board meetings to vent out their personal vendetta. This becomes a vicious cycle because today it is me tomorrow it is another board member,” he lamented. Let us work with a purpose of building the game with good corporate governance.”