Homeboyz forward Patrick Mwakina has been handed a six-match ban following his red card in their 52-3 loss to Kenya Harlequin last weekend.
Mwakina received the red card during the match played at Impala Club, and the Judicial Officer classified the offence as mid-range in terms of seriousness, resulting in the six-match suspension.
Patrick Mwakina’s ruling
According to the ruling by the Judicial Committee, the suspension will be effective from December 9, 2023, in line with the player’s schedule, and he is expected to return to action on February 10, 2024.
“The Judicial Officer categorised the RED CARD (as defined in the KRU National Sevens Tournament Manual 2022 – rule 12:10) as a mid-range on the scale of seriousness and having considered aggravating and mitigating circumstances imposed upon the player a six (6) week/match suspension,” the ruling by the Judicial committee said. “In accordance with the R.17.19.10 and in line with the player’s schedule, he will serve suspension from 09 December 2023. No award was made as to costs,” the ruling added.
According to the referee’s report, the incident leading to the red card involved a brawl initiated by Kenya Harlequins No.9 [Cornelius Mukoro] and HomeBoyz No.15 [Brian Juma].
This altercation led to further involvement from players on both sides, with Homeboyz No.7 & No.23 [Patrick Mwakina and Kelvin Agwambo] throwing Harlequins No.4 [Mike Onsando] to the ground, where Mwakina punched him several times in the head.
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After the situation cooled down, the Match referee permanently ordered off No.7 (RED CARD). Meanwhile, Harlequin Player No.4 received medical attention but was cleared to play with a swollen forehead.
The Judicial report says Mwakina did not plead guilty initially and implicated his teammate No.23 without naming him as responsible for throwing the punches.
Patrick Mwakina distances himself
However, he later distanced himself from those remarks, denying accusing Player No.23.
Mwakina claimed to have DVD footage that would exonerate him but did not present it at a later time.
Instead, his Homeboyz RFC representative, Club Secretary Elfas Etemesi, changed his plea from “Not Admitted” to “Admitted.”
