Balancing the gender equation; KRU co-opts women in its Board

The Kenya Rugby Union has co-opted two women – Wangui  Kibe and referee Peris Mukoko in the Union Board of Directors with immediate effect.

Speaking at a press briefing Tuesday at the RFUEA ground, KRU chairman Gangla Oduor said the two weren’t chosen because of their gender but because they have in the past decade participated in matters concerning sports and have immense experience and value to add to the organization.

The two are on a renewable one-year co-option.

“We’re very happy to be able to accommodate all men and women in the rugby fraternity because the two have been very committed in rugby,” Gangla who recently rose to the helm of the Union after beating Sasha Mutai at the polls, said.

The two join other directors – all men – who were elected in March at this year’s election, but with the inclusion of Wangui and Mukoko, it eases the gender equation that had threatened to tear the Board.

Gangla believes this will bring gender balance in the Union and also help improve women rugby.

According to a statement released by the Union, Wangui aka Kui has been involved in the management of most of the Safari 7s tournaments since inception in 1996 while Peris was the first Kenyan woman World Rugby Match Officials’ Educator and is a former Kenya international.

Kui, in addition to the involvement in the first Safari 7s, managed the KRU office when it was initially set up, handling fixtures, referees, media and national teams for a period of two years. She was the first Kenyan woman to attain the KRU Rugby Level 1 Coaching Award.