Girl Power: Kibe, Mukoko Co-Opted To Kenya Rugby Union Board

30th April 2019 - by SPN Correspondent

The move to add the two women to the top decision making organ was taken to encourage inclusivity in the sport

In this photo provided by Kenya Rugby Union, newly co-opted Directors, Peris Mukoko (left) and Wangui Kibe (right) pose with Chairman Oduor Gangla. PHOTO/Courtesy/KRU

SUMMARY

In addition to the involvement in the first Safari 7s, Wangui managed the KRU office when it was initially set up, handling fixtures, referees, media and national teams for a period of 2 years. She was the first Kenyan woman to attain the KRU Rugby Level 1 Coaching Award
Beyond being the first Kenyan female World Rugby Match Officials’ Educator and former test player, Mukoko on the other hand is an accredited member of the Kenya Rugby Referees Association (KRRA)
There, she handled premier sports events such as the Barclays Kenya Open and ‘Road to Anfield’ competition. The latter was a partnership between Liverpool FC and Standard Chartered Bank

NAIROBI, Kenya- Wangui Kibe and Peris Mukoko were on Tuesday co-opted into the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Board of Directors on a one-year renewable contract.

In a media statement, the national rugby governing body stated the move to add the two women to the top decision making organ was taken to encourage inclusivity in the sport.

“We are keen to have a Board that reflects the spirit of rugby as a sport for all: men, women, boys and girls.

“The two ladies have, through the quality of their Rugby contribution, and enduring commitment proven that they will add value to the governance of the sport. It’s a one-year co-option,” KRU remarked.

“Kui (Wangui), for instance, has been involved in the management of most of the Safari 7s tournaments since inception in 1996, 23 years later. Peris was the first woman World Rugby Match Officials’ Educator and is a former Kenya international,” the communication added.

“Therefore, the two ladies have not been co-opted to the Board merely because they are women. They are strong Rugby persons in their own right with achievements over the years. We look forward to their very meaningful contribution to the sport ” Oduor Gangla, the KRU chairman emphasised.

Gangla added that there was room yet to co-opt people in the various Board committees. For instance, former Kenya Lioness international forward, Angela Olum, has been co-opted to the Women Rugby Committee.

In addition to the involvement in the first Safari 7s, Wangui managed the KRU office when it was initially set up, handling fixtures, referees, media and national teams for a period of 2 years. She was the first Kenyan woman to attain the KRU Rugby Level 1 Coaching Award.

Business degree

She has a business degree from Daystar University, as well as a Diploma in Professional Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

She is currently employed at integrated communications firm Safaricom in enterprise digital marketing having joined the company in 2010 to manage sponsorships, and worked closely with KRU during the Safaricom 7s.

Other sporting associations she handled include Athletics Kenya and Kenya Lawn Tennis Association.

Beyond being the first Kenyan female World Rugby Match Officials’ Educator and former test player, Mukoko on the other hand is an accredited member of the Kenya Rugby Referees Association (KRRA).

She began playing at St. Mary’s School before joining Kenya Harlequin and then moving to Stanbic Mwamba.

She has various Rugby technical qualifications in her in-depth involvement of over a decade.

She has been a government officer, for the last five years with some experience at ICON Sports Marketing.

There, she handled premier sports events such as the Barclays Kenya Open and ‘Road to Anfield’ competition. The latter was a partnership between Liverpool FC and Standard Chartered Bank.

Mukoko is a graduate of Catholic University of Eastern Africa where she was a founder member of the Catholic Monks RFC. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Strategic Management at the University of Nairobi.