We need to stop the infighting: New KRU chair Gabriel Ouko warns against internal feuds

Kenya Rugby Union acting chairman Gabriel Ouko. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Ouko, who acknowledged that the responsibilities his predecessor Mwangi Muthee has left as enormous, called on for prayers and support from the rugby fraternity.
  • It was expected that Jalang’o would have taken over in acting capacity after Muthee left but the board settled on Ouko to ease the tension.

Gabriel Ouko, who has taken over as the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) acting chairman, has warned that rugby could be heading for turbulent times if board members continue engaging in wrangles.

“I hope that the board will realise the need of coming together since at the moment things are heading in the wrong direction,” said Ouko, who will continue serving as the union’s treasurer. “We need to stop the infighting and challenge ourselves on where we want the game to go.”

Ouko, who acknowledged that the responsibilities his predecessor Mwangi Muthee has left are enormous, called for prayers and support from the rugby fraternity.

Ouko said there was a need to set up a vibrant secretariat once again besides appointing a new chief executive officer.

“We must get the Kenya Sevens team back on track and rally behind our players and the team management by creating a conducive atmosphere for them,” said Ouko.

Ouko, who played for Kenya Sevens during the 1999 IRB World Series, will serve as the union’s chairman up until March 31, when an annual general meeting will take place.

It’s left to be known if the appointment of Ouko, who also played for Kenya 15s between 1998 and 1999 and Kenya Harlequin between 1989 to 2003, will bring the high temperatures at the union down after the resignation of Muthee on Wednesday.

Ouko, an alumnus of Moi University and Strathmore School, is said to have been neutral in the board battle that pitted Muthee against his vice chairman Philip Jalang’o.

It was expected that Jalang’o would take over in an acting capacity after Muthee left, but the board settled on Ouko to ease the tension.

The clubs that were planning to collect signatures that would call for a special general meeting early next month could also be forced to rethink their move.

Ouko will have a lot on his plate, especially now that the sponsors are keen to know about alleged corruption during the Bamburi Rugby Series and Safaricom Sevens.

Clubs have called for proper auditing of the accounts, something some members of the board were against. It’s the conduct of some of these members that led to the resignation of Muthee.

KENYA CUP FIXTURES

Meanwhile, fourth-placed Mwamba host sixth-placed Kenya Harlequin in the Kenya Cup match day-six fixture under floodlights at the Impala Club on Friday evening.

Kulabu are enjoying a good season, with their current form seeing them keep check on the leading trio of Strathmore Leos, Nakuru and KCB. They have won four and lost just one of their five previous outings, collecting a total of 20 points. A win against Quins could see Mwamba rise to second, albeit temporarily as the rest of the fixtures take place on Saturday.

Collins Injera has shown great leadership for Mwamba, playing in the back row and he will definitely be called upon to lead the charges, combining with the likes of Nick Ongeri, Shaban Ahmed and Brad Owako as they look to end the calendar year on a high.

Quins started the season with a bang, posting two consecutive bonus points that had them safely tucked in the leading quartet. This progress was, however, undone by two successive losses.

They bounced back to winning ways last weekend, beating Nondies to go sixth, and will look to post another win that would see them stay in touch with the leaders.