KRU Chairperson explains resignation of co-opted board member

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Chairperson Harriet Okach has offered clarity following the departure of co-opted board member Nisha Van Hoek, whose recent leaked letter announcing her exit circulated widely and sparked speculation.

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Van Hoek, who joined the KRU board as a Non-Executive Director on 8 May 2023, formally notified the Union of her decision not to continue in the role through a letter dated Tuesday, 10 June.

While the letter indicated a resignation, Okach emphasised that the situation should not be termed as a resignation in the conventional sense.

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"I don’t think we should call that a resignation because that was a co-opted board member, and they had a term limit of two years, which then the board would be free to extend for another year or not," Okach said.

"Yes, the letter that leaked out was written that she resigned, but it should have been that she was letting us know that she was no longer interested in being a board member. It is her right as a person," she added.

In the letter, Van Hoek expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve, calling her time on the board a privilege and reaffirming her ongoing support for the sport.

During her tenure, Van Hoek brought a wealth of expertise in communication and leadership. She served as Chair of the Communication and PR Committee and Co-Chair of the newly launched KRU Women’s Rugby Committee, where she worked alongside John Kilonzo.

The Women’s Rugby Committee was created to bolster the visibility of the sport, improve player welfare, and establish a strong foundation for long-term growth.

Van Hoek was particularly instrumental in driving the committee’s marketing and strategic networking initiatives, which reflected KRU’s broader commitment to advancing women’s participation in rugby.

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Meanwhile, Okach acknowledged that the board has not yet convened for its monthly meeting due to a packed calendar, including the Special General Meeting (SGM), Annual General Meeting (AGM), and a special board session to appoint a new chairperson.

"Our board meetings are usually the second Monday of every month, so next week we should be able to deliberate on that," she stated.

With Van Hoek’s exit, the Union will now initiate the process of co-opting new board members.

"What happens with co-option is that it has to be somebody who adds value to the sport. They also need to send in their requests and CVs, and then the board sits and goes through them, discusses, and makes a decision,” the Chairperson explains.

Even if a replacement is not confirmed by the next meeting, Okach expressed optimism that by the following session, the board will have interviewed and narrowed down the list of candidates.

Currently, KRU has two open slots for co-opted board members.