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KRU officials face bribery claims in Olympics team selection


The Kenya Rugby Union is battling serious allegations that some of its officials demanded payments to hand its players chances to compete at the Olympic Games.

According to sportsnewsarena.com, an insider who is privy to this information but refused to be interviewed on the record, claims the women’s national team players were each “asked” to part with upto Sh420,000 (or approximately $4200) while their male counterparts were asked to pay Sh120,000 ($1200) as facilitation fees for their inclusion in the team.

Kenya sent out both her men and women’s national sevens rugby teams to participate at the Rio Olympics, with all the selected athletes guaranteed Sh800,000 ($8000) in allowances.

Each of these teams however struggled to compete, eventually coming home in identical lowly 11th positions out of 12 participating teams in their respective categories.

KRU boss Richard Omwela has promised to investigate the claims.

HEADS TO ROLL

“If found to be true, then heads will roll irrespective of those involved,” Omwela warned.

Men’s rugby team coach Benjamin Ayimba however distanced himself from these allegations stating: “I am not aware of such an allegation. The allowances were paid directly into the player’s accounts.”

These bribery allegations have surfaced in the wake of more disturbing mismanagement theories dogging team Kenya’s stay in Rio, which have come with severe consequences.

Up to this point, the Government has disbanded the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) over claims of mismanagement of the team in Rio.

Six senior Nock officials have been arrested, grilled, with four of those charged in court with among other offences, abuse of office.