NAIROBI, Kenya, December 15 – Football Kenya Federation (FKF) boss, Sam Nyamweya has ordered Ambrose Rachier and his office to remain in charge of Gor Mahia until January 30 after the club’s poll ended in chaos on Sunday.
In a letter addressed to Rachier on Monday, Nyamweya also directed the office whose term ended Sunday to organise fresh ‘free and fair’ polls before the stated date.
“In accordance with the FIFA statutes, the statutes of the federation mandate you and office bearers who were serving until yesterday (Sunday), more particularly when you are facing a continental campaign, next year to remain in office and continue to run the affairs of the club until 30th January 2014,” part of the letter read.
The FKF boss said the move was in line with ensuring there would be no ‘power vacuum’ in any club with the league winners preparing to represent the nation in the CAF Champions League.
The much anticipated Gor elections aborted at the last minute after club members caused chaos during their Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
This forced the returning officer Jackson Indakwa, to call off the polls directing the matter to FKF for arbitration.
“As the returning officer for this elections today (Sunday) we have decided to call off the elections because there was a delay of verification of voters and a number of them indicated that despite having paid the membership fee, they did not receive their voting cards and this led to some of them to turn violent, making it difficult for us to go on with the exercise.
“I have referred the matter to FKF for mediation who will determine the next action and I will submit a report which I hope will enable them call for a fresh elections as soon as possible,” Indakwa said.
Some members were unhappy with outgoing office bearers, questioning them on the financial report that they issued, and the departure of key players like goal keeper Ivo Mapunda and defender Donald Mosoti who have signed with Tanzanian giants Simba SC. Outgoing chairman Rachier, disbanded the current office and declared the seats vacant where the returning officer was to proceed over the polls, but some members opposed saying they did not receive voting cards yet they paid the required fee of Sh500 (USD 5.78) in order to participate in the exercise.
This did not go well with some of the voters who turned chaotic, forcing police officers to lob tear gas canisters as the crowd dispersed.
Rachier who was seeking to reclaim his seat, was facing stiff competition from Nairobi lawyer Erick Adede while outgoing Secretary General George Bwana, did not defend his seat.
K’Ogalo have signed three players, midfielders Kevin Oluoch and Daniel Onyango from Western Stima and former Karuturi Sports offensive midfielder James Kariuki.