Kenyans react as Rugby Union names man head of the women’s docket

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) board has appointed a new Secretary General, Ian Mugambi, who takes over from Oduor Gangla who was elected the Union’s chair last week. The board also announced the new heads of its sub-committees and rugby fans and Kenyans, in general, have been left perturbed.

The composition of the board’s picks questions the Union’s gender balance. There is not a single woman in the list of sub-committee heads, not even in the Women’s committee.

Considering Kenya Rugby includes the Kenya Rugby Women’s team, the announcement has rubbed Kenyans the wrong way, particularly at this time when the country is engrossed in debates of gender balance. As per the latest World Bank reports, Kenya is one of the top 10 African countries that have made significant reforms in laws and regulations aimed at improving gender equality over the past decade.

Supporting the decision by the board to appoint Moses Ngale as the chairperson of the Women’s committee, newly appointed KRU Chairman Oduor Gangla said: “We are working to coopt women directors but shortlisting and their accepting can't be instant yet the women work MUST go on!”

Gangla also revealed that in the previous board, the women committee was chaired by a man, Hillary Itela.

To netizens who weighed in on the matter, having no lady in the board’s subcommittee is merely absurd, some went as far as sarcastically questioning the board’s decision to appoint a man as head of the Women’s docket. Here are some of the top comments:

Not a single woman on the new subcommittee of the Kenya Rugby Union. Not even the leader of the Women Committee, which will be chaired by a man. Dear @OfficialKRU chairman @Oduorgangla . This isn't right. Change it. pic.twitter.com/waGSDv1LPp

Can someone explain to me like a 4 year old, why the Women Committee at the Kenya Rugby Union is headed by a man? pic.twitter.com/CIRmXSVZnq

Only in Kenya where a woman is a man

The name 'Moses' is unisex.Did you just assume his/her gender?

Constitutional change needed. KRU Board meanwhile must Co-opt the NECESSARY gender representation if we are to progress with inclusivity in rugby