Kenya 7s players sound warning alarm as cash crisis deepens with KRU silent

National rugby 7s players, have sounded the alarm bells ahead of their participation in the second and third outings of the 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series set to take place in Dubai and Cape Town over the next two weeks over financial challenges threatening to undo years of hard work put in by the team.

Considered as one of the country’s assets on the global stage, the Shujaa players have come out to reveal how a lack of finances is currently threatening to kill the game as the team have not been paid for over three months whilst they continue facing constant difficulty in accessing training areas.

In a latest move to try and alleviate the cash crisis, the players have taken matters into their own hands and set up a funds drive with the aim of arresting the situation that has left a lot to be desired from the country’s rugby governing body Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).

“Greeting to the Kenya 7s Family! As some of you may have heard we are now going on our third month without pay. Our lives and those of our loved ones have been greatly strained, even in our persistent effort to give you the desired outcomes on the pitch.

As we continue to train hard, we have had to deal with the daily life challenges of bills by digging through our savings and the efforts of a few local and international well-wishers.

Our desperate situation has now forced us to turn to you, our global community to help us in raising funds. The money raised will be split among the boys to help settle some of our pending bills - We need your assistance.

To make your contribution, kindly click on the link below to access the Kenya 7s M-Changa fund raiser or send your contribution to: *M-PESA Paybill no: 891300* *Account Number: 60365* Support Kenya 7s,” a social media post from the experienced Willy Ambaka, on behalf of the team, read.

Incidentally, this is not the first time rugby is calling for help to represent the country. Just this year, the 15s side, Kenya Simbas set a similar campaign as they went around looking for ten million to be able to take part in the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 which served as the African qualifying tournament to the prestigious Rugby World Cup 2023.

For now, with KRU silent on the issue and the government looking unbothered, the situation remains dire.

To make your contribution, click here to access the Kenya 7s M-Changa fund raiser or send your contribution to: *M-PESA Paybill no: 891300* *Account Number: 60365*