KRU repeat election suspended by court order

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) will wait longer for new leadership after the High Court in Nairobi moved to suspend the repeat elections scheduled for 24 March following a petition by felled Secretary aspirant Raymond Olendo.

In February, Sports Dispute Tribunal nullified the elections of directors held in September last year and called for fresh elections within 60 days.

Olendo, who was vying for the same Secretary position in Friday’s now stopped election, moved to the high court to appeal the judgement and decree delivered on 14 February by the SDT chairperson John Ohaga.

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“Motion dated 22.03.2023 considered. The motion is certified urgent for hearing on 9.05.2023. Meanwhile, so that the objects thereof are not defeated, the Court hereby issues a temporary order staying/suspending the 1st Respondent's Notice dated 20.02.2023 IRO the AGM scheduled for 24.03.2023. The temporary order will last until 9.05.2023,” the court order reads.

Olendo has appealed against the entire judgment delivered on 14 February on grounds that the members erred in law and in fact in finding that the elected directors were illegally in office contrary to clause 10.2.2 and 10.10 of the federation’s constitution.

Additionally, the SDT erred in ruling that the notice of election was insufficient and in finding that the Appellant did not challenge whether an Independent Panel was appointed to oversee the conduct of elections whereas there was a proper Independent Panel in place to oversee the elections being the IEBC.

The SDT has also been put on the limelight for ruling that the Sports Registrar interfered with the elections by supervising/presiding over whereas her role in the elections was being an observer and Regulator.

They have also been faulted for finding that County Rugby Associations were not eligible to vote whereas they were duly registered with the Sports Registrar by failing to appreciate the difference in meaning between a branch of a National Sports Organization and a County Sports Association.

“The Appellant prays that a) this appeal be allowed. b) Judgment and decree delivered on 14 February 2023 by Hon. John M. Ohaga Chairperson of the Sports Disputes Tribunal, E. Gichuru Kiplagat and Allan M. Owinyi Members of the Sports Disputes Tribunal in SDTSC No. E033 of 2022 be set aside and instead be substituted with a decree dismissing the claim,” the appeal further reads.

The elections were to be overseen by former Rugby patrons’ chairman Aggrey Chabeda who chairs the Independent Electoral Board.

Former KRU Vice Chairman Sasha Mutai was set to replace Oduor Gangla as the federation Chairperson after going unopposed following the withdrawal of former Kenya harlequins chairman Joe Onsando.