Fresh twist in race for Gor Mahia leadership as tribunal issues new orders
Electoral Board directed to refund excess money to those who had already paid up fees
Preparations for the Gor Mahia elections this Sunday were thrown into a spin after the The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has directed the club’s Electoral Board to reopen the nomination process up to 1pm today.
Further, SDT through a petition filed under certificate of urgency has also ordered the Electoral Board to revise nomination fees downwards. The new fees reflected will be Ksh150, 000 for Chairman from Ksh 500,000, Ksh125, 000 for Vice-Chairman from Ksh 450,000 and Ksh 100,000 for Treasurer/Secretary from Ksh 400,000.
This move was necessitated by some contestants who accused the electoral board of bias. The directive that was issued Wednesday evening, also was explicit in telling Electoral Board to refund the excess money to those who had already paid up fees, while the club was directed to facilitate or underwrite any deficit in the Election budget to enable the elections to proceed as scheduled on the set date of April 13.
Dolphina Odhiambo (Chairperson contender), Sally Bollo (Vice-chairperson contender) and Philip Dalmas Nyakwana (Treasurer contender) had lodged the dispute against the Elections Board, Chairman Ambrose Rachier , Vice-chairman Francis Wasunna, Secretary General Sam Ochola and the Registrar of Sports.
“The Tribunal reserves the right of any party aggrieved by the process of these elections to approach the Tribunal within (30 days) from the date of elections as specified under Regulation 20(7) of the Sports Registrar Regulations, 2016,”read part of the judgment.
The Gor Mahia Elections Board had already published a list earlier this week of 1725 members eligible to vote. The Board led by Gichu Wahome had already cleared currently chairperson Ambrose Rachier as the lone contestant for the top seat alongside Victor Omondi for the position of Vice-Chairperson thus being unopposed.
For the position of Secretary-General, the Electoral Board had cleared under-fire incumbent Sam Ochola, Nicanor Arum with Joseph Ogidi despite being cleared now officially withdrawing from the race. At the same time, for the position of Club Treasurer, the Board cleared Gerphas Okuku and Philipp Nyakwana.
The elections will be held at Nyayo National Stadium Basketball Court.
Meanwhile, after a long push with Lebanese Club Al Safa, Gor Mahia has secured the services of mercurial striker Benson Omala.
This comes after the former FKF-Premier league top-scorer secured his ITC (International Transfer Certificate) from the Middle-Eastern club after FIFA intervention. Omala, who has had two stints with K’Ogalo, is now expected to be part of Gor Mahia’s mission down Coast tomorrow in the Mozzart Bet Cup Round 32 clash after missing active football for at least five months after falling out with Al Safa over salary issues.
