Will Harriet Achieng restore the lost glory at troubled KRU?

Harriet Achieng Okatch made history as the first woman to lead the Kenya Rugby Union after being appointed the chairperson earlier this month.

Her rise to the top seat comes at a time of great uncertainty and division in the sport. Achieng replaced Sasha Mutai, who stepped down on May 30 after a heated fallout with the board.

Now, Achieng says her job is to heal, unite, and build a stronger, more transparent future for Kenyan rugby.

Achieng claims that Mutai’s resignation came as a shock to many. But from her point of view, the decision was necessary.

She claims Mutai failed to work with the elected board and instead tried to make decisions without involving others. This, she feels, created division within the union and risked hurting the sport.

“Leadership must bring people together,” Achieng told Standard Sports. 

“But what we saw was more about control than collaboration. That kind of leadership weakens the foundation of the game. We had to act to protect rugby.”

Achieng insists the issues surrounding Mutai’s resignation were not personal. She says it was about defending the integrity of the union and making sure that the elected officials were respected.

While the national teams were performing well on the field, she says the union was facing a serious governance crisis behind the scenes.

“We were on the edge of collapse. The board had to stop that and restore order,” she says.

The change in leadership has sparked mixed reactions across the rugby community. While many have praised the move, others believe it was politically motivated.

Having worked on the board in 2023 and as Honorary Treasurer of Kisumu RFC, as well as the union’s Director of Marketing and Commercial, Achieng believes she understands the growing doubts but urges everyone to give her administration a chance.

“I know some people think this was about politics,” she says.

“But it was about doing the right thing. I didn’t fight for this position. I was elected by the same people who support Kenyan rugby. Now, I want to be judged by the work we do — not by how I got here.”

Since taking office, Achieng has focused on building trust and creating stability. She has reopened lines of communication with clubs, players, sponsors, and fans. Her goal is to make every stakeholder feel heard and included in decisions that affect the game.

She is also leading a review of the union’s constitution to ensure fair representation, especially from the regions. Under her leadership, more power will be given to county rugby unions to help grow the game at the grassroots level.

“Our vision is clear,” Achieng says.

“We want every child in every corner of Kenya to believe they have a place in rugby. From Turkana to Taita, this game must belong to all.”

Looking ahead, Achieng has big goals for Kenya’s national teams.

She wants Shujaa and Lionesses to maintain their place in the Sevens Series and qualify for more major tournaments. For the Simbas and women’s 15s team, she hopes to see stronger performances in Africa and eventual qualification for the World Cup.

To get there, she plans to invest in better coaching, fitness training, and medical care for players. She believes that building strong pathways for young players is key. That’s why she is planning to work closely with schools and regional unions to bring back youth rugby and support teachers and coaches with the right tools and training.

Achieng also wants to tackle long-standing financial problems.

Under her leadership, KRU is looking for new sponsors and building stronger commercial partnerships. She wants the game to support itself through merchandise, matchday tickets, and digital platforms. Most importantly, she promises transparency in financial matters.

“All major reports will be shared. We are creating audit committees, and we will publish financial summaries. Transparency is not optional—it’s a duty,” she says.

On the issue of unpaid allowances and poor player welfare, Achieng says that her administration is already implementing new financial discipline plans. The goal is to ensure all players are paid on time and that their health and well-being are taken seriously.

She also plans to professionalise coaching at all levels, from schools to national teams. Through a national coaching framework, she aims to provide clear pathways for coaches to grow and develop. In the same spirit, she plans to upgrade rugby facilities with help from county governments and private partners.

For Achieng, values matter just as much as results. She believes in servant leadership, empathy, and integrity. She wants her time at the helm to leave behind a better, more accountable union—one that empowers young people and gives equal opportunities to women.

“I don’t want leadership that depends on personalities,” she says.

“I want to build systems that last and serve everyone equally.”

With her background in governance and a calm, determined approach, Achieng is determined to bring a new style of leadership to KRU. One year from now, she hopes fans will see stronger national teams, better organisation, and a more united rugby community.

To the fans who feel frustrated by years of infighting, she offers a message of hope.

“I hear you. I feel your pain. But I believe this is a turning point. Let’s walk this journey together. Support our players, hold us accountable, and help us bring pride back to Kenyan rugby,” she concluded.