Lawsuits hit national 7s circuit

Just days to the start of the National Sevens Circuit, preparations have hit a snag with two lawsuits freezing the accounts of Nakuru and Kisumu Rugby clubs, hosts of the Prinsloo and Dala sevens respectively.

Nakuru and Kisumu have been forced to look up to sponsors to organise the events after the accounts of their clubs were frozen by the High Court.

Kenya Cup champions Nakuru have been hit a power struggle that has seen recently elected chairman Renny Manyala move to court just days after a special general meeting ousted him. Leshan Ole Taruru is holding his office in acting capacity.

Manyala’s petition will be heard by the High Court in Nakuru next Friday, a day before the Prinsloo Sevens. Interim orders were however granted reinstating him and freezing the club’s account pending the determination of the suit.

The club has however assured fans that the tournament will go on as planned. “We cannot access the money in the account, but we have some funds from our sponsors. So, there should be no cause for alarm,” said deputy coach Jotham Owili.

Kisumu RFC is in a far trickier position after two factions of officials have made it impossible to run affairs at the club.

The club’s KRU recognised officials, led by secretary Frederick Maube moved to court last week to freeze the club’s account, after Safaricom deposited Sh1 million to its Giro Bank account to aid preparations for Dala Sevens. Safaricom deposited following talks with former KRU chief executive officer Jack Okoth and Paul Okong’o, who introduced himself as club secretary during a meeting.

Kisumu RFC’s officials have, in their court papers, accused Okong’o, Okoth and the KRU of “conspiring to defraud it of money meant for sponsorship of the tournament”.

KRU secretary Eddie Omondi said yesterday that the union will file a response in the High Court in Kisumu, adding that the union had already sent a list of recognised officials to Safaricom to avoid problems.

“Okong’o and Okoth, who is a former union employee, approached Safaricom and managed to get the funds deposited to the account. The account was frozen because KRU does not recognise the two as officials,” said Omondi. Contacted, Okong’o said he was the club’s secretary and planning of the Dala Sevens was ongoing despite the lack of funds in the club’s account.

“The account has been frozen since August 22. Other sponsors are willing to fund the event but we have asked them to hold on as we try to resolve the court case,” he said.