Mixed reactions as KRU ends Kenya Cup with no winner for the 2020 season

Black Blad's Jerry Indusa (right) is challenged by KCB player during Enterprise Cup match at KCB Grounds at Ruaraka on Saturday March 7. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The announcement by Kenya Rugby Union management that it has ended the Kenya Cup, Championship and nationwide has elicited mixed reactions from rugby clubs.

In a press statement released on Friday evening, the KRU Board resolved to end the season with no winner to be declared for the 2019/20 campaign across all leagues.

KRU said the decision was made due to the format of the competitions which heads into the knock-out stage after the regular season which means a winner cannot be picked as per the regular season results.

Philip Wamae, the KCB team manager welcomed the decision, saying it is logical despite the situation. “It is quite unfortunate but it was the only logical solution to ensure we can commence next season’s preparations on time in order to compete adequately.

"I believe that the relegation and promotion solution is also the best, given that the league was over for the relegated teams and playoff is important for the teams fighting for promotion,” he said.

Wamae added that KCB will be diverting their attention to preparation for the next season to ensure that once guidelines from Ministry of Sports are out for them to play, they shall be ready to take on the league.

Nonetheless, championship teams welcomed the decision of the KRU that the lower leagues — KRU Championship and Nationwide — will have playoff matches before the 2020/21 season to determine who will be promoted.

Kisumu and Western Bulls, who had been relegated from the top tier, and Kisii and Mombasa, who had been relegated from the second tier, will not survive relegation as their matches had been concluded.