Just days after the Kenya rugby fifteens national team absconded duty and forfeited remaining Currie Cup fixtures, the players are up in arms demanding payment of their allowances from the Currie Cup competition played between March and this month.
According to close sources within the rugby circles, some of the players are going through a tough time and are on the brink of sinking into a depression since they don’t know where the next meal will come from.
The players now have been forced to survive on low-paying jobs to be able to provide for their families.
They have asked the Ministry of Sports to come to their rescue and pay just as they have done for the Shujaa and Lionesses this year.
According to the source a well-wisher had promised to pay the team but has not come through due to tough economic times.
Speaking on Tuesday, Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman, Sasha Mutai, promised to pay the outstanding allowances by Friday.
“We know the players are owed since they started training in March. By the end of the week, we hope to pay all their outstanding dues,” Mutai said.
The recent unfolding come in the wake of Simbas shelving their final two matches in the Currie Cup against South African provincial sides, Valke and SWD Eagles at home due to financial constraints.
“It is with a heavy heart and deep disappointment, that I have to let you know that our Currie Cup journey in 2023 has prematurely ended due to financial constraints among other things, beyond our control as a squad,” Simbas team manager Jimmy Mnene informed the team.
This comes days after the Kenya Simbas recorded their second victory in four years over Zimbabwe when they defeated the visitor’s 48-7 Currie Cup match Nakuru Athletic Club.
The Simbas had played seven matches in the Currie Cup, winning two and losing five to sit seventh on the log with 12 points. The Simbas beat Zimbabwe Goshawks 48-7 and Border Bulldogs 30-26.
Prior to the postponement of the remaining fixtures the Simbas had failed to travel to South Africa for the same tournament forcing the national team to give away crucial points while awaiting funds from the Ministry of Sports.
KRU had promised the national team Ksh39m which they were waiting for the ministry to disburse to enable the team to facilitate the three-month tour of South Africa.
