KRU co-opts two ladies into board

Kenya Rugby Union (KGU) chairman Oduor Gangla moved to assert his presence on Tuesday by co-opting two women - Wangui Kibe and Peris Mukoko, to the union’s board.

Mukoko and Kibe are well known figures in rugby, having served the game at different levels over the years.

Mukoko, who is a former Kenyan international, is the first Kenyan woman to attain the World Rugby Match Officials’ Educator, while Kibe has been involved in the management of Safari Sevens since inception in 1996.

Mukoko vied as one of the directors during the KRU elections on March 20, but wasn’t successful.

While unveiling the two officials at a press conference at RFUEA grounds on Tuesday, Gangla said that they are keen to have a board that reflects the spirit of rugby as a sport for all.

“The two ladies have, through the quality of their rugby contribution, and enduring commitment proven that they will add value to the governance of the sport. It’s a one-year co-option," Gangla said.

“Therefore, the two ladies have not been co-opted to the Board merely because they are women. They are strong rugby persons in their own rights with achievements over the years.”

Gangla said that he looks forward to their meaningful contribution to the sport, adding that there was room yet to co-opt people in the various board committees.

Gangla singled out former Kenya Lioness international forward, Angela Olum, who has been co-opted to the Women Rugby Committee after she also failed in her bid to become a board member.

Kibe, in addition to the involvement in Safari Sevens, managed the KRU office when it was initially set up, handling fixtures, referees, media and national teams for a period of two years. She was the first Kenyan woman to attain the KRU Rugby Level 1 Coaching Award.

Kibe has a Business degree from Daystar University, as well as a Diploma in Professional Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

She is currently employed at Safaricom in the enterprise digital marketing department. She joined the company in 2010 to manage sponsorships, and worked closely with KRU during the Safaricom Safari Sevens. Other sporting associations she handled include Athletics Kenya and Kenya Lawn Tennis Association.

She has served as chairperson of Ungana (The Young Friends of AMREF), a non-profit organisation. Ungana is a Kenyan youth volunteer and empowerment organisation, under the auspices of AMREF – Africa’s largest health NGO.

Mukoko, beyond being the first Kenyan female World Rugby Match Officials’ Educator and former test player, is an accredited member of the Kenya Rugby Referees Association (KRRA). She began playing at St Mary’s School before joining Kenya Harlequin and then moving to Stanbic Mwamba.

Mukoko has various rugby technical qualifications in her in-depth involvement of over a decade.

Mukoko has been a government officer, for the last five years. She also has had some experience at ICON Sports Marketing. There, she handled premier sports events such as the Barclays Kenya Open and “Road to Anfield” competition. The latter was a partnership between Liverpool FC and Standard Chartered Bank.

Mukoko is a graduate of Catholic University of Eastern Africa, where she was a founder member of the Catholic Monks RFC. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Strategic Management at the University of Nairobi.