KPL and Gor Mahia chairman, Ambrose Rachier holding the ball when launching his FKF presidential bid on October 6, 2015 at Nyayo National Stadium. PHOTO/Courtesy.
NAIROBI, October 6 – Kenyan Premier League and Gor Mahia chairman, Ambrose Rachier promised new management training programmes in all leagues if elected Football Kenya Federation president at November 13 national elections will be held November 13.
Rachier, who was endorsed by 12 Branches to vie for the top job, made the announcement on Tuesday when declaring his candidature in Nairobi.
He called on the FKF Electoral Board chaired by lawyer, Donald Kipkorir, to nullify the vetting of sub-branch and branch delegate clubs already underway describing the process flawed.
“We aware in certain counties and sub counties, delegates are being appointed from clubs which have never participated in any league. The moment we begin to get briefcase clubs enlisted that’s rigging.
“What is important is to deal with true stakeholders and promote democracy to make sure democratic elections are held from the grassroots. One of my main aims is to get rid of the shenanigans and get people who are truly for development of football,” the veteran prominent lawyer declared.
However, Rachier who finished fourth in the last elections that ushered incumbent Sam Nyamweya in 2011 urged the Electoral Board to roll out its rules so that candidates can be sure of a free and fair exercise.
“The Board should set the ball rolling because we don’t know the timelines. We need this to be done soon to get the candidates nominated then they hand over the electoral process to IEBC for transparent elections.
“We will lobby to those who are in authority to ensure it’s done at the proper pace because when who you include people who have not being participating in football, to me that is the beginning of rigging.”
Rachier believes his eight years leadership at record 15 times KPL champions Gor and two years at KPL speaks volumes and believes he will bring wealth of experience.
His key pillars are ensuring new youth programmes, coaches and referees training for both male and female, better playing fields and player/fan friendly stadia, plans and support for all national teams as well as ensuring public and private sector partnerships.
“For too long, Kenyan football has had too many recurring negatives and too few permanent positives. If elected, my FKF stewardship will focus on building the positives.
“A major positive is the recent FKF-KPL Memorandum of Understanding which promises stability for the next five years. I was in the race four years ago but lost but I now believe Kenyans have seen my work,” he added.
Rachier became the fifth candidate to join the race that has Nyamweya, vice president, Sammy Sholei, businessman Gor Semalang’o, FKF Premier League chairman, Nick Mwendwa and former Gor forward Ken Oliech.
