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Long-serving
Gor Mahia chairperson Ambrose Rachier has asked fans to put their differences
aside and work together with the new office bearers to push the club to greater
heights.
Rachier
was speaking after retaining his seat during the club‘s Sunday, 13 April
general elections at the Nyayo National Stadium basketball court.
In
the elections conducted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
(IEBC), the seasoned football administrator garnered 650 votes, beating his
only competitor and outgoing treasurer Dolphna Odhiambo, who managed 456 votes.
The
senior counsel will be serving his last four-year term that ends in 2029, as
the club constitution does not allow him to vie again.
Rachier
has been in charge of the club for 17 years, since 2008.
Rachier
thanked the IEBC, led by chairman Gichu Wahome, for the good job and said that
this was the best-organised election; it was transparent and very competitive.
“We
will work together even if the two of us were from different camps. It is my
responsibility as the leader and the chairperson to create good harmony to put
the club ahead of everything and everybody. I would also reunite the fans who
had completely divided opinions,” said Rachier.
Despite
the peaceful polls, a scuffle between the rival fans erupted, leading to police
lobbing tear gas to quell the violence.
Rachier
has led K’Ogalo to nine titles since taking charge in 2008.
Meanwhile,
former treasurer Sally Bolo returned to the executive after beating Victor Mbaka
in the vice chair’s post. Sally managed 610 votes, while Mbaka collected a
distant 488 votes.
Meanwhile,
Nick Arum clinched the Secretary General’s post with 610 votes against
incumbent Sam Ocholla's 501 votes.
The
duo squared out after the third contestant, Joseph Ogidi, shockingly withdrew
from the race on Friday, only two days to the elections, for personal reasons.
Gerphas
Ogolla completed the lineup by winning the treasurer’s seat with 559 votes,
beating Philip Nyakwana, who got 524 votes.
Rachier
says he’ll rally the fans and the new administrators together to push the club
to new levels.
Under
Rachier, the record 21-time Kenyan Premier League champions have been lagging
behind at the continental level, always falling in the preliminary hurdle. The
1987 Confederations Cup champions, however, reached the quarter-finals in 2019
under Turkish coach Hassan Oktay, and Rachier will be seeking to go a step
better.
