History made as KRU appoints first female chairperson
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 06.06.25. | 07:41
Beyond the pitch, she is a seasoned communications strategist and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience across Kenya’s public and private sectors
In a resolution that will go down in history, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has appointed Harriet Achieng Okach as the new chairperson.
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This landmark decision marks the first time a woman will hold the position in the Union’s history.
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Her appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, 5 June, during a KRU Board meeting convened to decide on a successor following the resignation of Alexander Sasha Mutai.
The meeting came five days after Mutai stepped down from the role during a Special General Meeting (SGM) held at the RFUEA Grounds on Friday, 30 May.
Speaking after the appointment, Okach could not hide her joy as she was thankful to stakeholders for entrusting her with the position.
“I’m humbled to be entrusted with this position. Thank you to the affiliates, KRU Board, and stakeholders for your support. To our secretariat and the playing component, thank you for focusing on keeping the game going in spite of all the turmoil.
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To our fans and all stakeholders, sports unites, so please let’s all come together in growing this game that we all love. Asante sana,” Okach said.
Okach's journey in rugby leadership began at the 2023 KRU Annual General Meeting, also held at the RFUEA Grounds, where she garnered the highest number of votes among all candidates vying for Board positions.
Her strong mandate led to her appointment as the Director in charge of Marketing and Commercial, where she was instrumental in elevating the sport’s visibility and forging new commercial partnerships.
Before her national role, she served as the Honorary Treasurer of Kisumu RFC.
Beyond the pitch, Okach is a seasoned communications strategist and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience across Kenya’s public and private sectors.
She also represents Kenya on the international rugby scene. She is one of only 12 African women selected for World Rugby’s "Impact Beyond 2025" legacy project, a programme aimed at promoting equity and inclusion in the sport globally.
Under this initiative, she is helping steer Unstoppable Rugby for Change, a grassroots Kenyan programme using the sport as a tool to combat gender-based violence and champion girl-child education in marginalised communities.
