Kenya has made a significant stride on the global rugby stage following the appointment of three of its officials—Edwin Teya, John Ojara, and James Absaloms—to the prestigious World Rugby Citing Commissioner’s Panel.
The appointments by World Rugby position the trio to officiate as citing commissioners in elite men’s and women’s international test matches across the globe.
For Edwin Teya and John Ojara, the appointments are a culmination of years of service both locally and internationally. Their inclusion, alongside James Absaloms, marks a major vote of confidence by World Rugby in Kenya’s capacity to contribute at the highest level of the sport.
Speaking on the development, John Ojara described the appointment as a moment of pride and honor.
EDITOR’S PICKS:
- Why Patrick Odongo Okong’o feels indebted
- List of rugby prospects from high school
- Colman Were keen to redefine Kenyan rugby’s physical edge
- Follow Scrummage Africa on Facebook
“I am incredibly honored and excited to announce my appointment by World Rugby as a Citing Commissioner for an upcoming top-tier women’s international rugby match in July 2025,” Ojara told KRU Media.
The assignment will be his first in a top-tier international fixture since obtaining his World Rugby accreditation in 2022.
Ojara, who has a strong background officiating local 15s and 7s matches as well as lower-tier internationals, hailed the appointment as a major milestone in his officiating journey.
He credited the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) for its unwavering support and strategic focus on training and capacity building, which he said has been instrumental in nurturing talent not just among players and coaches, but also among match officials.
