The rift between Kenya Rugby Union and the Kenya Rugby Referees Society deepened yesterday with the union calling for volunteers to be trained as referees for the upcoming matches.
In a statement released yesterday, KRU said the volunteers will assist during training sessions and run the games. “KRU has formed a referees panel that will be responsible for the for the registration, training and allocation of match officials for its sanctioned fixtures moving forward,” read the statement in part.
“This is in line with the World Rugby mandate allowing match organisers to appoint match officials. This panel will also recommend match officials for international assignments and training programmes,” the statement added.
The move comes after a weekend that saw the officiating crisis grow from bad to worse with the whistlers going on with the go slow. David Orato officiated the Ngong road derby between Quins and Impala last weekend with Quins’ team manager Jimmy Mnene serving as one of the assistants.
Orato was criticised by both teams for inconsistent calls which included forward passes and infringements during the tense match won by Impala 10-8 at the RFUEA grounds. Kenya Sevens top try scorer Collins Injera also officiated the Mwamba vs KCB match at the Railway Club over the weekend with the KCB emerging 27-15 winners. Sources familiar with the story indicate that the referees have only been paid once to the tune of (Sh230,000) since the start of the 2017-2018 season. This, they reckon is inadequate to cater for transport, accommodation and match allowances.