Broke Ministry deepens Simbas’ financial woes

Monday, June 27th, 2022 01:21 | By

Simba’s second rower Thomas Okeyo centre with young rugby fans, siblings Shawn, Ethan and Jeremy Wanjohi during a recent international match. PD/ALEX NJUE

Days after the Ministry of Sports announced that it was not in a position to facilitate international events for the remaining days of the 2021/22 financial year, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) acting CEO Thomas Odundo has come out to explain why the national 15-team is in need of Sh 10 million ahead of the fast-approaching World Cup qualifiers.

A memo from the Ministry of Sports last week told sports’ federations that they have run dry their coffers from their quota of the Sh 15 billion allocated to the Sports Fund for the financial year ending June 30.

KRU laid open their financial woes on their social media platforms on Tuesday urging Kenyans of goodwill to bail out the team which is seeking to make history in France ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers to be held in France from July 2 to 10.

According to Odundo, KRU is cash strapped forcing them to rely on Rugby Afrique to cater for the player’s flights and accommodation for 28 players, the coach, team manager and physiotherapist only.

KRU said the training allowance and camp fees have not been paid.