SIGH OF RELIEF

Court Order lifted as KRU go to polls today to elect office bearers

Alexander Sasha Mutai is the chairman-elect after his closest challenger Joe Onsando withdrew from the race.

In Summary

•KRU chairman Oduor Gangla said it's imperative that they held their elections before the end of the week with the mandate of the board set to elapse on Friday.

•With no board in place, the Ministry of Sports could be forced to move in and form an interim committee, which could result in suspension by World Rugby and Africa Rugby.

 

Sasha Mutahi
Sasha Mutahi
Image: FILE

Following a withdrawal of the court order on Tuesday, Kenya Rugby Union will go to the polls on Wednesday at the RFUEA ground.

The Sports Registrar Rose Wasike had obtained a High Court order on Thursday last week stopping the elections that were to coincide with the union's Annual General Meeting.

Wasike had challenged the Sports Dispute Tribunal ruling on February 14 this year, which had nullified part of the KRU elections held in September last year. 

KRU chairman Oduor Gangla said it's imperative that they held their elections before the end of the week with the mandate of the board set to elapse on Friday.

With no board in place, the Ministry of Sports could be forced to move in and form an interim committee, which could result in suspension by World Rugby and Africa Rugby.

Suspension by the world governing body would see the Shujaa, Simbas, Chipu and Lionesses being banned from international fixtures. 

The election will be two-peat. Top on the agenda is a by-election featuring the positions of vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and two directors, whose election to office last November was nullified by the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) last month.

Then there will be the main election to vote for the chairman and the remaining three of the five directors.

The five office bearers, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and two directors, have already served a year of their term and will serve another three if confirmed on Friday.

Alexander Sasha Mutai is the chairman-elect after his closest challenger Joe Onsando withdrew from the race.

The race for the vice chairman seat has attracted two candidates with incumbent Moses Ndale facing former director Dennis Ombui in what is expected to be a tight race.

The race for directors has attracted four candidates with the incumbents Leslie Mwangale and Peris Mukoko facing a stern test from former Kenya Sevens skipper Humphrey Kayange and former international and coach Ken Thimba. The two with the most votes will get elected.

In the main election, there will be nine candidates battling for the remaining three of the five seats including incumbents John Kilonzo and Kiketi Kombo as well as Harriette Okach, Moses Mukabane, Mukoko, Sharon Kalunde, Ochieng Ahaya, Walter Ongeti, Chares Chege and Eric Ondieki.