Reprieve for Sasha as SDT reinstates him as KRU Chairman

In a decisive ruling that could redefine the governance of sports federations in Kenya, the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has reinstated Alexander Kiplagat Mutai, commonly known as Sasha Mutai, as the rightful chairperson of the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), quashing his suspension and calling out the Union’s board for serious procedural and constitutional violations.

The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, paints a troubling picture of internal wrangles, rushed decisions, and a breakdown of corporate governance within one of the country’s most prominent sports bodies.

At the heart of the dispute was a controversial board meeting held on March 6, 2025, during which Mutai was suspended following a motion of no confidence.

The Tribunal found that the meeting was convened in breach of Article 10.16.2 of the KRU Constitution, which mandates that only the Chair or in his absence, the Vice-Chair can call a board meeting, and only after a proper 14-day notice period following a requisition.

“The notice was issued on March 5 for a meeting the following day. No persuasive reason was given to justify this blatant disregard of the Constitution,” the Tribunal ruling seen by Citizen Digital stated.

It found the process “procedurally flawed, unduly restrictive, and inadequate,” ultimately rendering the decision to suspend Mutai “illegal, null, and void.”

The KRU board had argued that Mutai bypassed internal dispute resolution mechanisms and prematurely took the matter to the Tribunal.

However, the SDT dismissed this objection, noting that the mechanisms in place lacked independence and fairness, especially when the aggrieved party was expected to appeal to the very board that suspended him.

“A man cannot be made judge in his own case,” the Tribunal emphasized, reaffirming that access to justice cannot be curtailed by flawed internal structures.

While the Tribunal reinstated Mutai, it declined to grant a permanent injunction preventing any future motions of no confidence, stating that such a request was against the spirit of democratic governance. However, it didn’t mince words about the board's conduct.

In a stinging rebuke, the Tribunal criticized the KRU’s lack of adherence to proper governance protocols and called on the Sports Registrar to inspect the Union’s books and records.

It further recommended urgent constitutional and structural reforms to plug gaps in decision-making, transparency, and accountability.

This ruling adds a new chapter to a series of leadership clashes within the KRU. The Tribunal noted with concern that some of the grounds cited in the attempt to oust Mutai, echoed a previous case involving the same parties hinting at deeper, unresolved divisions.

Without intervention, the Tribunal warned the Union risks “season after season of internal power struggles instead of rugby development.”

As Kenya’s rugby enthusiasts await clarity and calm, the ruling has set a precedent on how national sports bodies must conduct their affairs within the law, with integrity, and above all, with respect for the principles of natural justice.

For now, Mutai resumes his role as the KRU Chair, but the clock is ticking for the Union to put its house in order.