Sasha to face Gangla, Owuor for KRU's top seat

Kenya Rugby Union chairman Richard Omwela (left) is congratulated by his closest rival Alexander "Sasha" Mutai after the Kenya Rugby Union elections on March 22, 2017 at RFUEA ground. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Confirming his candidature, Mutai said that that the current office had failed to manage the game well hence the long overdue changes
  • KRU secretary general Oduor Gangla, who deals in investment banking, said he will officially launch his bid when the right time comes
  • KRU board member Ezekiel Owuor has also expressed interest for the top seat

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairmanship seat has so far attracted three candidates.

Former KRU vice-chairman Sasha Mutai, the current secretary general Oduor Gangla and KRU board member Ezekiel Owuor have all expressed interest for the top seat ahead of the elections slated for March this year.

Grapevine has it that Homeboyz Rugby Club chairman Mike Rabar and his Kabras Sugar counterpart Philip Jalang’o had also expressed interest in the seat but when contacted they intimated that they are no longer interested.

The current chairman Richard Omwela, who has now served two terms, will not be seeking re-election, having recaptured the seat in 2015 following the resignation of Mwangi Muthee.

Omwela floored Gabriel Ouko to recapture the seat in 2015 before retaining the position in 2017, beating Sasha Mutai by polling 25 against 23 votes.

Confirming his candidature, Mutai said that that the current office had failed to manage the game well hence the long overdue changes.

“People have lost faith in the current board and sponsors are also running away,” said Mutai adding that the national team players both at Kenya Simbas and Kenya Sevens have also lost faith in the union. “That is why key Kenya Sevens players have boycotted national assignments. The situation is critical and we need to bring back sanity.”

Mutai, a Quantity Surveyor by profession, said he is capable of addressing the ills that have rocked the game for several years.

Gangla, who deals in investment banking, said he will officially launch his bid when the right time comes. “I am consulting widely and I should make my stand known soon,” said Gangla explaining that the board will meet soon to set the date for the elections.

Owuor is a KRU board member and is in charge of Commercial Services.

“I am not contesting anything come the elections,” said Jalango adding that he can still serve the game from outside. “I want to focus to not only build Kabras Sugar Rugby Club to dominate in many years to come but use the resources available to develop rugby in western Kenya.”

Rabar said he has no time to go around the country campaigning when he can still continue serving the game from outside.

“I have been doing a lot with Homeboyz men and women’s rugby teams as well as Schools’ Prescott and Damu Pevu competitions through sponsorship,” noted Rabar.