NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28- The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has suspended the erstwhile Director National Squads and Elite Performances Philip Jalango with immediate effect.
“Further to the KRU board meeting held on Monday 27th May, 2013 at the Kenya Rugby Union offices the Board suspends Mr. Philip Jalango, Director National Squads and Elite Performance from the board with immediate effect.
“He is therefore not authorized to act or speak on behalf of Kenya Rugby Union &/or its affiliates pending a disciplinary hearing. He is further suspended from participation in any Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) sanctioned activities.
“The National Squads and Elite performance committee has been reconstituted with Mr. Gabriel Ouko as the Convener,” the statement from the Union confirming the development stated in full.
The sanctioning of Jalango is the latest development in the power-play within the Union that has degenerated to a farce.
On May 13, a statement signed by Jalango announced the sacking of national rugby sevens head coach, Mike Friday, before his chairman, Mwangi Muthee, who was in London with the squad at the time reversed the decision minutes later.
“The Head Coach has failed to exemplify the vision, mission and core values of KRU at certain points of the season. Effective today, the KRU Board has appointed Assistant Head Coach Felix Ochieng, as the interim Head Coach and Bronson Weir from Western Province to assist him, through the remainder of the season.
“Felix has been with the program 10 years, and the Board has great confidence in Felix’s ability, and Bronson Weir to guide the team to the world cup. The KRU Board is not giving up on our long term goals for the Kenya 7’s program,” Jalango’s statement read in part.
That is when the chair also announced the suspension of Jalango and the board meeting convened few days later ruled Friday would be in charge until the Rugby Sevens World Cup although the decision to axe the director was not ratified.
Last weekend, Jalango is alleged to have been behind the woes affecting Bamburi Rugby Super Series franchise Nyumbu where a makeshift team travelled to Uganda where they were mauled 32-0 Rwenzori.
A letter from the Union to the teams stated sides that top their pools in the 15s tournament would not be required to travel for their semi final that went contrary to the agreement that one of the last-four matches would be played in Uganda.
Amid the chaos, Rwenzori declined to travel to Nairobi, senior Nyumbu players refused to fly to Kampala citing short notice and after scrambling a team, the Kenyan franchise managed by Paul Murunga duly went down to their rivals.
The suspended director also played a key role in the suspension of revered sevens winger, Collins Injera, that almost caused a split in the side despite the wishes of coach Friday that issues he had with management could be resolved amicably.
