A contractual tiff has rocked the national Sevens team, Shujaa, with players opposing the terms presented by the Kenya Rugby Union.
The union has proposed Sh150,000 (per month) for Tier One players, Sh127,000 for Tier Two and Sh50,000 for new entrants, running until 2026.
However, the players want almost double the perks as senior — Tier One — players demand between Sh200,000 and Sh300,000.
They also want their medical insurance sorted out in addition to some other minor details in the contracts.
The row has left the team in tatters with several senior players boycotting training even as the World Sevens Series head for kick off in Dubai — November 30-December 1.
The senior players who have downed tools for the past fortnight include the two captains, Vincent Onyala and Tony Omondi, Kevin Wekesa, George ‘Japolo’ Ooro and Chrisant Ojwang’.
The rest of the squad resumed training at the RFUEA grounds immediately after winning the Safari Sevens last month.
A source privy to the stand-off accused the players of disregarding compromise now that the governing body is struggling to nail down sponsors.
“It’s very unfortunate. We have had several meetings with them. On Tuesday, the honourable secretary of the union, Ray Olendo, pleaded with them to resume training observing that the union does not have the cash to pay the exorbitant salaries and wages,” the source said.
“These players know where we are coming from. We got relegated and now we are back. We have just two sponsors on board who can’t match these demands. However, their welfare and pay will be sorted out. Remember it’s performance contracts... if they perform well on the circuit, their pay will go up. I don’t see what their issue is,” the source said.
The union is contemplating fielding the team that featured at the Safari Sevens if the core players do not show up for training between now and their departure for Dubai — probably November 25.
“You saw the young boys who played in Machakos? I believe they have the hunger and desire and are working hard in training. They will play (in Dubai) if the row continues,” the source added.
Onyala said there is no good faith from both the union and the team management, insisting what they are advocating for is “fair”.
“When I was a rookie, the likes of Collins Injera and Andrew Amonde were in this situation. The same story is repeating itself. We are asking for what we believe is rightfully ours,” Onyala said.
If the stand-off remains, he will
continue training remotely and is
willing to miss the opening two legs
of the Series alongside the other
senior players.
