Kenya Rugby Union Vice Chairman Moses Ndale speaks during the EABL sponsorship announcement for the 2024 Safari Sevens in Nairobi on September 24, 2024.
The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) is once again embroiled in leadership turmoil that could see four officials ousted during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) set for March 24.
Mwamba has submitted motions seeking the removal of four officials, Secretary General Ray Olendo, Vice Chairman Moses Ndale, Treasurer Joshua Aroni, and Director John Kilonzo.
At the same time, the Kenya Cup Caucus has given the KRU Board four days to formally respond to the allegations or face dissolution.
The motions, signed by Mwamba Rugby Club Chairman Jason Rosario Braganza on March 2, come at a time when sponsors such as SportPesa and Safaricom were regaining confidence in the union and returning to support the sport.
Mwamba want Olendo, who was re-elected on March 29, 2023, removed from office over allegations that he presented a forged Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) certificate before the polls.
The issue led to his suspension from the KRU Board on August 4, 2023, but he successfully challenged the decision at the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT), which ruled in his favour on March 5, declaring the suspension illegal.
Despite the tribunal’s ruling, Mwamba is reviving the matter, alleging:
“Olendo presented a forged CRB certificate he purported to be issued by Metropol Credit Reference Bureau, Certificate No. MCRB/C840205 dated August 31, 2022, for the nullified KRU elections in September 2022 and the March 2023 AGM.”
Braganza insists that Olendo must vacate office, stating: “He does not represent the vision and aspirations of Kenyan Rugby, and his removal is necessary for the effective and efficient running of the union.”
Olendo has dismissed the motion, accusing KRU Chairman Sasha Mutai of sponsoring it out of personal vendetta.
“Let them bring the motion at the AGM so that we settle this once and for all. We can’t keep moving back and forth on matters that the court has already settled,” Olendo said.
He further claimed that those behind the motion were acting out of malice, attempting to link him to non-existent issues.
Mwamba’s motion also calls for the removal of Treasurer Aroni, arguing that he has exceeded the allowable term limit under the Sports Act 2013.
“Aroni was first elected as treasurer in March 2016, re-elected in March 2018, and again in March 2023, totalling nine years in office—contrary to the Sports Registrar Regulations of September 2, 2016, which clearly state that office bearers shall serve a four-year term and may only be re-elected for one additional term,” said Braganza.
Similarly, Mwamba argues that Director John Kilonzo has served beyond the legal limit, having been first elected in 2016, re-elected in 2019, and again in 2023—accumulating eight years in office.
Vice Chairman Moses Ndale is also on the chopping block, with Mwamba citing integrity concerns.
“He does not represent the vision and aspirations of Kenyan Rugby and must vacate office for the effective running of the union,” Braganza said.
Ndale, however, dismissed the allegations as a witch hunt, warning that continued instability would damage the sport’s growth and deter sponsors.
“Members wouldn’t have voted for us if there were shortcomings. Suddenly, we are being bombarded with allegations that cannot be substantiated anywhere,” said Ndale.
Kenya Cup Caucus Chairman Edwin Esilaba has urged the KRU Board to respond to the allegations decisively or step down.
“They must respond to these allegations well, or they vacate office,” said Esilaba, emphasising that ongoing wrangles continue to hurt the sport.
With the AGM fast approaching, tensions are running high, and the fate of KRU’s leadership hangs in the balance.
