Kitale RFC have pulled out of the third-tier Kenya Rugby Union Nationwide.
Kitale RFC’s head coach Ben Amboko announced the decision on Tuesday citing financial challenges.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the withdrawal of Kitale RFC from the KRU Nationwide League. As a community club, with more than 60 active players and a growing fan base, the team has in the last 10 years sustained itself through well-wishers and it has now become a challenge to sustain the needs of a demanding league,” said Amboko.
He, however, said all is not lost as he appealed to the Trans Nzoia county government and corporations to support the Kitale-based side.
“Kitale RFC has been instrumental in the rugby mentorship programs in schools within Trans Nzoia county. This has led to the success of schools like Friends Bwake Boys, St Joseph’s Kitale, St Anthony’s Kitale, and Kitale National Polytechnic,” said Amboko.
The withdrawal comes barely days after Shamas pulled out of the second-tier KRU Championship and relegated themselves to the KRU Nationwide. Following the withdrawal, the KRU Championship will now have 11 teams.
The club played in the KRU Championship in the 2018/2019 season but was relegated to the third-tier league. In the subsequent seasons, the club was eliminated in the Nationwide National Plays off the semi-final stage.
“Our journey has been curtailed by inadequate finances to mobilise training and honour fixtures. The Kenya Rugby Union has not been supporting teams, especially community clubs,” said Amboko.
Following Kitale’s withdrawal, Eldoret RFC, Moi University, Egerton RFC, Molo RFC, Kitale Polytechnic, University of Kabianga, Project 61, and Maa Warriors will battle it out in the Nationwide Rift Valley Conference.
In games scheduled for Saturday, former KRU Championship sides Eldoret RFC and Moi University will face off, as Project 61 welcome Egerton Wasps.
The University of Kabianga will host Molo RFC as Kitale Polytechnic entertain debutants Maa Warriors.
