Inside Sasha Mutai's plan to revolutionize Kenya Rugby

Alexander Kiplagat Mutai recently announced his comeback to Kenya Rugby administration, this time as the Chairman. The prominent figure previously served as the director of the Kenya 7s as well as the Vice Chairman of the Union.

He will be running unopposed after former Kenya Harlequins Chairman Joe Onsando announced his withdrawal from candidacy. Current Chairman Oduor Gangla will not be defending his seat.

BRINGING BACK ‘EAST AFRICA SUPER RUGBY’

One of Mutai's primary goals is to bring back competitions like the Bamburi 7s.

The regional Bamburi Rugby Super Series was running for five consecutive weekends in five different venues across Uganda and Kenya in Nairobi, Kampala, Mumias, Mombasa, and Nakuru. For years, it provided a platform from which both Uganda and Kenya selectors built their respective national teams.

It was however discontinued in 2015 after the main sponsors Bamburi Cement pulled out after having facilitated the event for eight consecutive years. When the last event was held in 2014, Bamburi dished out Ksh20 million for the event that featured two franchises from Uganda and four from Kenya.

Mutai now aims at bringing back the glory of the Super Series.

“I see it coming back, the Super Series but bigger and better. My thought is to have regional teams in the cities of Kenya and not just clubs coming together like let’s say KCB RFC and Mwamba RFC would be in one,” Mutai revealed.

Unlike the past where the best players from the teams were called to play the series, the businessman now aims at copy pasting the American ranking system to the success of the Series.

“What I want is a ranking system like in the US where you have now tight-head, loose-head, hooker, everybody is ranked and the teams collect a player each so everything is evenly matched,” Mutai pointed out.

OFFICIAL RUGBY STADIUM

Dissecting KRU by election delegate nominees

Another key area that Mutai wants to focus on is the development of infrastructure for rugby in Kenya. The lack of proper facilities has been a hindrance to the growth of the game, and Mutai plans to address this.

“I have the plan to build the home of rugby because right now the KRU have served as tenants at RFUEA. So, it is a shame that at this day and age we do not have our own grounds,” Mutai said.

Rugby development in all areas like women's rugby, officiating, young talent, and universities is at the heart of Mutai's key agenda.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to helping clubs obtain county leases. “and as I said also in my manifesto, I will assist some of the clubs get some leases from counties.”

Mutai's plans for Kenyan rugby are both ambitious and inspiring, and we can only hope that he will implement them to take Kenya Rugby to greater heights.

SASHA MUTAI'S 5-POINT MANIFESTO

1. Government relations

2. Cooperate partnerships

3. Rugby Clubs

4. Rugby development

5. National team