Kenya Airways (KQ) yesterday officially announced that it has terminated Kenya Sevens (7s) rugby team after seven years sponsorship.
Announcing the termination, Chief Executive Officer Mbuvi Ngunze said the airline opted not to renew the contract after evaluating its current business strategy.
The company has been a Shujaa’s title sponsor since 2010, spending over Sh900 million in cash and kind, the CEO noted.
Ngunze, however, said that, despite the deal termination, the airline will continue supporting the sport through select initiatives.
“We are proud of how far the sport has come with global interest in Kenya’s participation in the World Rugby Sevens Series rising by the day and appreciate the determination of our sports personalities which has cemented Kenya’s position in the Series,” he said.
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Richard Omwela said they had hoped Kenya Airways would match the Sh600 million sponsorship given by SportPesa for Kenya rugby.
“We had told Kenya Airways to take the back of the shirts with a considerable package but they opted out,” said Omwela.