KRU chairman Sasha Mutai is facing strong attempts to be jettisoned from office two years since his election.
Drama has erupted within the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) following a hastily convened board meeting on Thursday that resulted in the “suspension” of Chairman Alexander ‘Sasha’ Mutai.
The move comes after a number affiliates filed for his impeachment, marking the second attempt to oust him since his election on March 29, 2023. A similar attempt last year failed to gain traction.
In a letter signed by Homeboyz RFC chairman Oscar Mango and addressed to KRU’s Honorary Secretary Moses Ndale, the board stated that Mutai’s suspension takes effect immediately.
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The decision paves the way for a motion of no confidence against him, which is set for deliberation at the KRU’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 24, 2025.
Allegations against Mutai
According to Mango’s letter, Mutai faces impeachment on charges of “gross mismanagement, breach of fiduciary duty, and failure to uphold governance standards.” The accusations stem from alleged irregularities surrounding the 2023 and 2024 Safari Sevens tournaments and the appointment of Stephen Sewe as Kenya 7s Team Manager.
According to the motion, Mutai allegedly handpicked an external agency—linked to a close associate—to manage the 2023 Safari Sevens tournament without board approval.
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The same agency reportedly failed to settle debts amounting to Kshs. 12 million, leaving the union financially strained despite collecting revenue from the event.
Similarly, for the 2024 Safari Sevens, Mutai is accused of bypassing procurement protocols, sidelining the Secretariat and relevant committees in critical decision-making processes.
Additionally, the letter alleges that Mutai unilaterally appointed Sewe as the Kenya 7s Team Manager without following due process. This decision is believed to have contributed to operational failures, including missed flights for the Shujaa team during the Challenger Series and incomplete bookings ahead of the disastrous Vancouver 7s campaign last February, causing financial losses.
Further claims suggest Mutai has meddled in the leadership of Western Kenya rugby clubs, potentially compromising their autonomy and causing instability within the sport.
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Mutai’s response
Despite the board’s declaration, Mutai has dismissed claims of his suspension, terming the move an “attempted coup” orchestrated by Secretary General Raymond Olendo, who also serves as Kabras Sugar RFC chairman.
“Board meeting is on Monday. Today an unprocedural meeting was called by Olendo in contravention of the KRU Constitution,” Mutai asserted to Citizen Digital.
“I’m not suspended, as it can’t be done by the board in that way—only through the Legal and Disciplinary Committee.”
Earlier this week, Mwamba RFC had filed motions seeking the removal of not just Mutai, but also Olendo, Ndale, and Treasurer Joshua Aroni. However, these motions were later withdrawn after consultations within the rugby fraternity, including the Kenya Cup caucus, which had also written to the board demanding accountability.
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Concerns raised against other KRU officials include alleged violations of the Sports Act, integrity issues, and overstaying in office. Notably, Aroni and KRU Vice Chair Bernard Kilonzo were accused of surpassing their term limits as stipulated in the Sports Act 2013, having served for nine and eight years, respectively.
Additionally, Olendo faced allegations of presenting a forged Credit Reference Bureau document during the March 2023 elections. Though he was initially suspended over the matter, he later won a legal battle at the Sports Disputes Tribunal, which ruled his suspension illegal.
With the KRU board divided and allegations flying from multiple directions, the coming weeks could prove decisive for the leadership of Kenya Rugby. The AGM in March 2025 is now set to be a battleground, with the fate of Mutai and other officials hanging in the balance.