NAIROBI, Kenya March 27- Contestants in Thursday’s Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) elections have entered into a pact to incorporate clubs in the running of the sport once voted into office.
The posts of vice-chairman, secretary general and treasurer will be filled during the polls at the Union headquarters in Nairobi with the incumbent chair, Mwangi Muthee having his mandate facing the electorate next year.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, candidates shifted their campaign to also focus on increasing revenue for the unions’ development plans.
“What the game of rugby needs is to modernize the way the game is run to include sourcing for more revenue for instance, through merchandising and TV rights,” said acting secretary general, Paul Nyamondi, who is keen on clinching the post.
Jack Okoth and Willy Ombisi are also in contention for the secretary’s seat alongside Nyamondi.
Given the popularity of the sport that has risen steadily in the recent past, the exposure of the game was another driving point of the campaign with contestants promising to land broadcast rights to the game.
“At the moment we are too dependent on sponsorship. The Kenya Premier League is earning close to Sh20m a year on TV rights, why not rugby?” quipped Sadik Makii who is eying the post of vice-chairman against Sasha Mutai and Fred Odhiambo.
Sadik believes that with modern facilities the union can successfully host an IRB event in the next for four years since the union has the personnel, administration manpower and knowledge in making such a huge tournament a reality.
Incumbent Henry Embuye and Gabriel Ouko will be seeking the Treasurer position.
