Sports Tribunal verdict favours petitioners ahead of Gor polls

Ambrose Rachier during a previus press conference

Outgoing Gor Mahia treasurer Dolhina Onyango, former K'Ogallo treasurer Sally Bolo and aspirant Philip Nyakwaka will after all be in the club’s ballot during the general elections set for Sunday, April 13, 2025.

The twist comes after the club had on April 9 initially cleared Ambrose Rachier and his Deputy Victor Mbaka for a fresh tenure unopposed due to lack of challengers in the posts.

But Dolphina, Sally and Nyakwana challenged the decision at the Sports Tribunal, protesting the high fee set for candidates on April 1, 2025.

The trio argued that the exorbitant fees were a deliberate move to lock them out of the polls.

On Wednesday Aprill 2 , the Electoral Board, led by Gichu Wahome, released the election roadmap, outlining all the rules and regulations.

Candidates vying for he chairperson’s seat had to part with mandatory Sh500,000, while vice chair, secretary general and treasurer aspirants must part with Sh450,000 and Sh400,000, respectively by Friday, April 4, 2025 deadline.

The announcement sparked outrage, with outgoing club treasurer Dolphina, who is eyeing the chairman’s seat, leading the protests.

Dolphina questioned the nomination fees and the account where the funds were to be deposited.

“In 2020, we only paid Sh20,000 to run for any position. This is nothing short of extortion,” she lamented.

The tribunal pointed out that the club’s electoral board infringed on the constitutional rights of the complainants by failing to give them enough time to pay the registration fees.

The panel slashed the nomination fees and ordered Gor Mahia to allow the petitioners to submit their applications by 1pm Friday, April 11, 2025, 

The club was also ordered to refund candidates who had paid the initial hefty figure.

The tribunal set the new fees for the hairman’s position at Sh150,000, vice chair at Sh125,000 while treasurer and secretary aspirants' fees was capped at Sh100, 000.

The big win will now see Dolphina challenge Rachier, while Bolo confirmed she will be on the ballot for the assistant chair’s post.

Initially, Radio Jambo presenter Joseph Ogidi aka ‘’Gidi Gidi’’ had been cleared to battle current holder Sam Ocholla and Nicholas Arum for the secretary general post.

The treasurer position will be contexted by Gerphas Ogolla and Philip Nyakwana.

The elections and AGM meeting will be held at the Nyayo national stadium basketball court.

Rachier, who is a senior counsel, is seeking to extend his 17-year tenure at the helm of K'Ogallo until 2029 if elected at the polls.

He has served as K'Ogallo chairman since 2009 and has seen the club win nine KPL league titles and a record 21 league titles in total.

The elections followed a ruling by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) in January for the club to conduct elections within 90 days, after its 2019 constitution gave the current executives four years to serve.