KENYA RUGBY : THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN 2ND CALL

MEMORANDUM OF REASONS

The game of rugby in Kenya has grown in stature over the last few years. This is as a direct result of the time and resources that rugby clubs have invested in the game. Our game is in a healthy state and is arguably the fastest growing sport in this country. The Kenya Rugby Union has sadly lost touch with the game of rugby. As the principle owners of our game, it is proposed that we take possession of our game and give it the stewardship it deserves. The justification for this radical but necessary action are as follows.

 

·        The Kenya Rugby Union sits at the apex of the game. For sometime now there has been a fundamental disconnect between the game and the Union, which disconnect does not boad well for the game.

 

·        At the level of the board, the Union has lost its rugbycentrism as is manifested by many decisions of the board that are made other than in the best interest of the game.

 

·        This unfortunate state of affairs is attributable to the manner in which board members are chosen. The current system is that a person wishing to be a board member is proposed and seconded by an eligible affiliate of the Union. This person is then subjected to a popularity contest after which the most popular person is declared the winner. We have all witnessed many campaigns by individuals who want to become union officials that have done more harm than good to the game.

 

·        This has lead to people who have no known links with the game and of wanting organizational ability being elected as union officials.

 

·        There is agent need for the owners of the game, being the clubs who play the game, to take possession of what is theirs and rid the game of the aforesaid malady.

 

·        It is proposed that the constitution be amended as follows:-

 

A.    The constitution be amended to remove the provision in clause 10 for the nomination and election of members of the board.

 

B.     The above provision be replaced with a provision that the board be made up of 12 members who will be appointed as follows:-

8 by the Kenya Cup affiliates (one coach)

2 by the eligible ESS affiliates who do not have a Kenya Cup side (read Kisumu and Bungoma)

2 by the eligible University league affiliates who do not have Kenya Cup or ESS sides (read USIU, Mombasa & Daystar)

 

C.     These 12 Directors once appointed will then from amongst themselves elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

 

This structure ensures that the reconstituted Board is owned, representative of and is accountable to clubs who are the true owners of the game.