Lack of consistent cash flow at Nakuru RFC has seen senior players boycott training sessions and the resignation of club chairman Mwangi Mucemi.
This follows the departure of former head coach Mitch Ocholla, who has since joined Impala Saracens.
Felix Oloo is now the team’s acting head coach. The senior players are said to have only trained for four days prior to their opening Kenya Cup League match against Menengai Oilers, which they lost 31-5 in a local derby at ASK Nakuru Showground over the weekend.
In their training during the pre-season, the senior players are said to have trained for only eight weeks.
They dispersed before resuming for a full house just four days to the Kenya Cup League kick-off.
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Some of their senior players have turned up for the national Sevens team – The Shujaa and National 15s side, The Simbas.
“The playing unit was not at its best in their opening league match against Oilers. This was due to inadequate fitness among other factors that worked to our disadvantage,” a source from the club told Standard Sports on condition of anonymity.
According to the source, the absence of key players had eroded the confidence of youngsters, who could not match their opponents during the weekend match.
The players are said to have approached their former chairman Aljabri Saleh to take over the management of the club before things went south for the rugby heavyweights.
Saleh refused to comment on the move, referring us to the club’s Management Committee, which is led by Edward Moseti.
Moseti admitted that the club was facing a lean season following some contractual disagreements with the management, “but which were being addressed.”
“Within the next few days, we are set for bigger things after players raised a few concerns, which we are looking into them,” said Moseti.
“But those causing trouble are those who have not been paid because of not fulfilling contractual obligations with us.”
He admitted the club was undergoing a difficult transition period that cannot be evaded, saying their (players) absence was strongly felt in their match against Oilers.
Yesterday, club chairman Mwangi Mucemi confirmed having resigned from the club’s activities on Monday, adding that it was a personal decision and has already handed over his resignation letter to the club’s patron Giles Woods.
“I feel honoured and privileged to have served as your chairman for the past two years. My main task was to stabilise the club and get it back to its winning ways,” Mucemi wrote in his letter.
“I would also like to thank players, coaches and management for the great work they did during my tenure.”
Mucemi also thanked the fans who kept faith in him during the two years he was at the club.
Meanwhile, Nakuru RFC acting coach Felix Oloo said there should be cause for alarm as all will be well soon.
“There should not be a problem. We will overcome this mess soon,” said Oloo.
