Gor Mahia polls: 17 years later, Rachier not ready to relinquish club chairmanship
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier at his office in Nairobi.
What you need to know:
- Gor Mahia’s previous Constitution placed no term limits on office holders, allowing them to run for office as many times as they wished.
- The club's 2019 Constitution that guided the 2020 elections stipulates that one can be in office for two four-year terms upon re-election.
A case filed recently at the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) challenging Gor Mahia’s elections planned for Sunday has again highlighted the controversy surrounding the club’s elections.
The positions of chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary general, and that of honorary treasurer will be filled in the elections, to be conducted by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission at at Nyayo National Stadium Basketball Gymnasium in Nairobi from 9am to 2pm.
On Wednesday, the SDT allowed Gor’s elections to proceed as planned, but directed Gor Mahia Election Board to reduce the nomination fee for various posts, and extended the deadline for candidates to submit their nominations papers to Friday at 1pm.
Aspirants Dolfina Odhiambo, Sally Bolo and Philip Dalmas Nyakwana moved to court to compel Gor Mahia Election Board to extend the deadline for submission of nomination papers, to lower the nomination fee, among other things.
Odhiambo who currently serves as the club’s treasurer, will challenge incumbent Ambrose Rachier who has held the position since 2008. They argued in their petition that there was no justification for the increase of nomination fee, previously been pegged at between Sh20,000 and 40,000 for the top four posts.
This year, Gor Mahia Election Board required aspirants for the club’s chairmanship to pay a non-refundable fees of Sh500,000 while those vying for the vice chairperson, secretary general and honorary treasurer positions were required to pay Sh450,000, Sh400,000, and Sh400, 000 respectively.
Gor’s previous Constitution placed no term limits on office holders, allowing them to run for office as many times as they wished. However, Gor Mahia’s 2019 Constitution that guided the 2020 elections stipulates that one can be in office for two four-year terms upon re-election. This is the basis of Rachier’s candidacy. He was first elected in 2008, and the club’s new constitution came into effect during the 2020 elections.
Describing the task of leading Gor as a “thankless job”, the club’s former chairman Erastus Okul said it was unwise for Rachier to seek another team in office, having already served since 2008.
Okul who handed over to Rachier said the Senior Counsel has done a commendable job but emphasized that it is time to pass the baton to the younger generations.
“He (Rachier) has done a good job by guiding the team to many victories. If I was him, I would resign but it seems he likes running the club for reasons better known to him,” said Okul, adding that he doesn’t understand Rachier’s motivation, given the demanding nature of the role. Rachier is the longest serving chairman at the club.
In the 17 years that he has been in charge of the club, the club has won Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) nine times and FKF Cup four times. During that time, K’Ogalo has also made numerous appearances in both CAF Champions League, and CAF Confederation Cup many times.
Recalling a difficult period during his tenure, Okul revealed that he was once auctioned after failing to repay for air tickets he had borrowed for Gor Mahia players to participate in an international competition. He described running the club at the time as extremely challenging.
Okul noted that Rachier may have had an easier time due to the presence of sponsors in recent years but added that he couldn’t say for sure if that was the motivation behind his continued stay at the helm.
“It is a thankless job. I do not know how Rachier enjoys it,” said Okul, revealing that a meeting earlier this year with the club’s patron, Raila Odinga, to discuss Rachier’s replacement.
He said a follow up meeting which was to include Gor’s officials and a section of members did not materialize as Odinga was busy campaigning for the Africa Union Commission chairperson position that he ended up losing to Djibouti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mahmoud Youssouf.
Rachier has insisted that he meets all the conditions set by the club’s 2019 constitution to vie for a final term as the chairman.
“Our constitution is very clear. It allows those who vied and won in the 2020 elections to vie for a second four-year term. I will present myself as a candidate for the top seat, “said Rachier previously.
According to a communique released by Gor Election Board on April 1, 2025, aspirants in the elections had until April 4 to submit their nomination papers.
Aspirants for the chairperson’s position were required to pay a non-refundable fees of Sh500,000 while those vying for the vice chairperson, secretary general and honorary treasurer’s positions were required to pay Sh450,000, Sh400,000 and Sh400,000 respectively.
In their ruling on Wednesday, SDT’s panel chairperson Benard Wafula and members Gabriel Ouko and Peter Ochieng’ revised the nomination fees for chairman and vice chairman to Sh150,000 and Sh125,000 respectively. Aspirants for the Treasurer and Secretary General positions are Sh100,000.
The tribunal also ordered the Election Board to refund aspirants who had already paid the higher nomination fees. Odhiambo welcomed the ruling but warned that she would not accept an election that lacks credibility.
“Well, let us see (if the elections will be free and fair). But if they joke I will deal with them,” she told Nation Sport on Friday.
Victor Omondi will battle for the vice chairperson position with Bolo while Sam Ochola will fight to retain his Secretary General role against Nicanor Arum. Joseph Ogidi who had been cleared to vie for the position pulled out yesterday, citing circumstances beyond his control.
Gerphas Ogola and Philip Nyakwana were cleared to vie for the honorary treasurer position.Following a petition by Bernard Agewa Omolo, a member of Gor, the SDT on January 15 directed the K’Ogalo fraternity to hold elections within the next 90 days as the current executive committee had outlived its sell-by date.
So firm has the Tribunal been on the directive that it on March 11 declined Rachier’s request for the election be held after the conclusion of the ongoing Football Kenya Federation Premier League.
During the 2020 elections which were done online, chaos marred the exercise with Bolo who was eying the vice chairman position disputing the results.