Fresh details emerge on why Mean Machine vs Mombasa RFC match was abandoned

The report notes that the request was promptly addressed, with the referee later confirming that the ant holes had been adequately filled and that no further field-related corrections were required.

At around 1440 hours, with players from both teams already warming up, the Mombasa RFC team manager approached Mean Machine officials and raised concerns about the playing surface.

According to the report, the Mombasa official indicated that their team could not play on the field due to the previously addressed ant holes, and also raised a fresh concern regarding a kerb located approximately 1.5 meters from the touchline.

In response, Mean Machine players voluntarily brought soil using sacks and buckets and covered the kerb area extensively in an attempt to eliminate any potential safety risk. Despite these corrective measures, the Mombasa RFC team manager maintained that their team would not play on the field.

At that point, the referee had not yet changed into officiating attire or conducted the pre-match briefing, despite the match being close to the scheduled kickoff.

When asked about the delay, the referee reportedly indicated that he could not change due to light rainfall, even though both teams were already on the field warming up.

The referee later stated that he would go and change for the match and returned to the venue at approximately 1520 hours.

Moments later, the match official contacted the Head of Referees, Victor Ojuku, seeking guidance on the situation. According to the report, the referee initially informed both teams that the Head of Referees had advised that the match be abandoned due to field conditions.

However, the Mean Machine team manager contacted Ojuku directly at around 1557 hours to confirm the instruction. Ojuku reportedly categorically denied having spoken with the referee and instead instructed that the referee contact him directly for clarification.

The referee declined to make the call and instead reached out to the Competition Management Official (CMO). Communication was later facilitated between the referee and the CMO.

Following the discussion, the referee conducted another inspection of the field and subsequently confirmed that the field was playable, as the previously raised concerns had been adequately addressed.

The CMO informed the Mean Machine coach that he was on his way to the venue and instructed that both teams should wait for his arrival.

Despite this, the Mombasa RFC team manager instructed his players to leave the field and depart from the venue, effectively abandoning the fixture. By the time the CMO arrived at approximately 1550 hours, the entire Mombasa RFC squad had already left the grounds.

Upon arrival, the CMO inspected the field and questioned the decision by Mombasa RFC to leave the venue despite being informed that he was en route, before instructing that a formal report be submitted on the matter.

Following a review of the incident, the Kenya Rugby Union Leagues and Fixtures Committee ruled in favour of Mombasa RFC.

The committee awarded Mombasa RFC full points from the fixture, with the match officially recorded as a 28–0 win for the coastal side. Mean Machine also lost two points.

According to KRU, the decision was made after determining that the relevant competition regulations had been breached, with the ruling guided by Regulation 13.6.4.6(b)(ii) on match abandonment together with Clause 8 of the 2025/26 league manual, which addresses match venues.