Richard Omwela throws hat in the ring
Richard Omwela (centre) in a light moment with (from left) Andrew Musangi, Mickey Cardovillis, David Kiathe and Sadii Makii when he announced his candidature for the KRU chairmanship on February 25, 2015 at RFUEA ground. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Eight Kenya Cup clubs support city lawyer’s bid for top position.
- Ex-chairman announces his candidature in forthcoming KRU polls, promises to revamp union’s leadership.
Prominent Nairobi-based commercial lawyer Richard Omwela has announced that he will vie for the chairmanship of the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) in the forthcoming elections set for March 17.
Omwela, who served as KRU chair from 2003 to 2011 before losing out to immediate former chairman Mwangi Muthee, said he was persuaded to vie for the position in order to save the sport from what he termed as disrepute.
He expressed regret that the game was no longer being played “on the field but off the field” blaming the previous office for the current state of affairs contrary to what the game’s values stand for.
“When I left KRU in 2011 as chairman, I thought I left the game in good hands but the recent events have shown we possibly may have made a mistake in terms of the leadership we put in place,” said Omwela while announcing his candidature on Wednesday at the RFUEA grounds in Nairobi.
BACKED BY CLUBS
The High Court Advocate confirmed he was approached by a number of Kenya Cup and nationwide sides to bring change at helm of the rugby leadership and restore sanity in the sport once considered as well run and transparent.
Flanked by chairmen and representatives from eight Kenya Cup sides, Omwela expressed confidence of getting back into office and embarking on restoring the sport to ‘rightful position with a competent and efficient board.
“A few years back, KRU was voted the best sports federation in the country, these days we don’t even feature. I intend to return us back to those years if elected,” he added.
The clubs backing Omwela’s bid include Kabras Sugar, Kenya Harlequin, Impala, KCB, Strathmore, Homeboyz, Nondies and Nakuru RFC.
Since last year, the sport has made the headlines for the wrong reasons following the resignations of Muthee, Kenya Sevens coach Paul Treu as well directors Godwin Karuga and Maurice Masiga.
