Why Balala cancelled Sh20m Shujaa sponsorship

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) is on the spot after the government cancelled a Ksh 20 million partnership after national sevens team, Shujaa, players declined to take part in a Brand Kenya promotion in Paris.

According to a statement issued through the Government spokesman’s office, Brand Kenya entered into a deal with KRUthe Kenya Rugby Union on 24th May 2018, where Shujaa were appointed as brand ambassadors in exchange for brand Kenya visibility in the KRU and Shujaa assets.

However, KRU breached the paid partnership by not paying the players their allowances as agreed.

“In turn, the players embarrassed the country by concealing the name: Make It Kenya on their team jerseys, while playing in the Paris leg of the international HSBC rugby 7s circuit. No more government funds will be channeled to the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU),” said the statement.

Consequently, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism & Wildlife Najib Balala cancelled this partnership with immediate effect with the government asking Shujaa players to immediately contact the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brand Kenya, so as to be paid their Ksh2.4 million pending allowances directly and individually.

Balala announced the decision in Mombasa at the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Symposium on Thursday morning.

The players were protesting delayed payments even as Brand Kenya revealed Ksh 4 million was wired to KRU to cater for the same. KRU, on the other hand, said the money was used to cover accommodation, travels and other logistical needs for the team during the tournament in France.

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The issue has sparked a rift between KRU and the coach and players.

Shujaa was previously sponsored by SportsPesa. Tusker sponsors the 15s national team.