Kenya Rugby Union to probe poor match officiating

Western Bulls RFC players in action against Kabras Sugar RFC during a past match.(Photo: Washington Onyango)

Kenya Rugby Union will investigate alleged poor officiating witnessed at the KRU Championship matches played last weekend.

Silverstone Kisumu, Western Bulls and Kitale RFC claimed poor refereeing saw them lose their games to USIU, Catholic Monks and Ngong RFC respectively.

The three matches were handled by a standby referee after the official KRU match referees failed to turn up.

Speaking to The Standard Sports yesterday, KRU Director of Rugby Thomas Odundo said he is yet to receive complaints from the three clubs adding that even in the absence of KRU match referee, the home team is mandated to appoint one.

“The union is yet to receive complains by now. However, the law does states that if there is no match official available, the home team side will appoint one. We will check the matter and revert,” said Odundo.

Kisumu RFC coach Howard Okwemba and his Western Bulls counterpart Bram Shikanda blamed poor refereeing by the interim referees appointed by the home teams.

As a result, Bulls recorded their first defeat of the season going down 27-10 against Catholic Monks while Kisumu lost their second match 18-10 to leaders USIU.

“It was shameful sight at the USIU grounds after match officials failed to show up. Mistakes were made every minute and most of them were against my team leading to our negative result,” Shikanda said.

Kitale RFC head coach John Amboko said inexperienced people were picked to officiate leading to his team losing to Ngong RFC and urged KRU to do a spot check. “The Kenya Rugby Union should investigate and set guidelines.”