Gor Mahia 2020 election results
A drama filled Gor Mahia election was completed on Saturday
Additional reporting from goal.com
The process was marred with skirmishes as the former treasurer accused the organizers of a lack of transparency
Francis Wasuna has been re-elected as Gor Mahia Vice Chairman to deputise the long-serving Ambrose Rachier who was unopposed.
In the election process conducted virtually on Saturday, August 8, the incumbent received 226 votes which translated to 58% of total votes while his only challenger Sally Bolo managed to get 163 votes, which is 42% of the total.
The proceeding was marred by skirmishes as Sally, who was the former K’Ogalo treasurer, turned physical as the provisional results trickling in showed she had no chance of winning.
Dolphina Odhiambo defeated Chrispine Okoth to win the Treasurer position. The former managed to get 286 votes, translating to 74% while Okoth managed just 103 votes, 26% of the total votes.
Apart from Rachier, Sam Ocholla was also elected as the club’s Secretary-General unopposed, taking over from Ronald Ngala who, reportedly, did not qualify for the post.
“The elections were not properly planned and I had advised my fellow aspirants to wait until everything is organised well before the process, but they did not listen to me,” former club’s Organising Secretary Judith Nyangi told Goal.
“We will definitely go to court over the same, and I believe the results will be nullified and we shall go to the ballot again. We just want free and fair elections, a credible process.”
Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) had threatened to nullify Gor Mahia’s elections if they were done unlawfully.
The SDT, in a letter signed by Elynah Sifuna Shiveka who is the deputy chairperson and obtained by Goal, said the exercise must be conducted in strict adherence to the law if the results have to be recognised thereafter.
Ben Mathews Agunda, David Osewe Odero, Alfred Odhiambo Otieno, Gilbert Otieno Wandera, George Ochieng Gombe, Meshack Odera and Edder Jalang’o are the Gor Mahia members who have asked the tribunal to stop the elections which they claim is set to be done against the demands of the Sports Registrar.
“Upon reading the chamber notice filed under a certificate of urgency and all the accompanying documents dated August 4 and filed on August 5, the tribunal hereby directs and orders as follows,” read the opening paragraph of the SDT’s letter.
“That no interim orders are issued in regard to prayer no. 3 of the chamber summons dated 4th of August 2020 and filed at the tribunal on 5th August, 2020.
“The activity of the first respondent scheduled for 8 August 2020 shall be declared null and void in case it was unprocedural and unlawfully done.
“The claimants shall serve all the respondents with the application and these directions on or before Monday 10th August 2020.”
NEW GOR MAHIA OFFICE
Chairman – Ambrose Rachier
Vice Chairman – Francis Wasuna
Secretary general – Sam Ochola
Honorary treasurer – Dolphina Odhiambo
“The activity of the first respondent scheduled for 8 August 2020 shall be declared null and void in case it was unprocedural and unlawfully done.”
In other words the SDT did not have any grounds to stop the elections.
Now, was the election procedural, the mere fact that it went ahead means that it was procedural and ofcourse lawfull otherwise it could have been stopped right on the tracks.
The problem with Nyangi and her ilk is that they are ‘ready to go to court’ yet they fail to understand the requirements that can make a legal process successful.
Going to court is never a problem. Ask Kirinyaga MCAs.
So pls go to court.
I feel that for once Gor has done a good election devoid of chaos except for one Sally who did her best to start a war at the tally center. Her, I MUST WIN attitude has failed miserably and the only thing is to let the new office work in peace.
Poor Sally Nyar Adwen was very bitter claiming she was rigged out. She is probably right. Looks like officials were selected, not elected. I doubt members would vote for Dolfina instead of the more qualified Okoth. But as many said, without proper financial reforms, this club will not progress. Also Sally has not contributed anything notable in her 4 years.
Rachier has admitted to “unfairly” swaying the voting by announcing his preferred choices prior to the start of voting.
These turned out to be the winners.
Was it after closure of the campaign period?
Now he has his team he states that his priorities are:
1) Building a stadium,
2) Raising membership and
3) Conquering Africa
He has my total and unwavering support on no. 3 but zero support on no.1 what with the Nyayos, Kasaranis, Dandoras stadia in Nairobi and all the county stadia.
Anyway all said and done Gor Mahia is bigger than any individual.
The new office has my support, though I highly doubt the treasurer’s ability, as long as it transparent and accountable.
Perhaps the best starting point is to give us the current state of affairs at the club both financial and operational.
Let’s accept and move on holding the newly elected officials to very high performance contracts/ standards after all they are all degreed.
It is good people who were dragging the club behind have been voted out. Congratulations to the winners. Please take Gor Mahia to the next level.
Rachier preferred Dolfina even though he said that Treasurer should have financial knowledge. I think Okoth was pushed out because he spoke about people using the Gor Mahia logo without permission and profiting from it (Jaro Soja et al). And also said the club is alienating fans due to lack of trasparency
You’ve hit the nail on the head.
As a professional CPA there are somethings Chrispine Okoth would not have allowed to happen otherwise he would run afoul with IPCAK.
Chrispine would have set up proper financial structures and run the office.
Gor Mahia transactions are nothing a professional accountant can’t manage with a good financial software.
That ADOR prefers a non accountant to man that office can only mean that he wants to remain in charge of GMFC monies.
But as we lament about the elections we have bigger problems.
Football is about players winning titles yet???
“I know the window just opened but do I have the money to sign new players? Polack posed a question to Goal. “I can only talk about new signings when the management gives me to bring in new players, we don’t have money and I don’t know how the situation will unfold.”
There is no certainty about new players coming in but there is certainty about dependable players leaving.
CAF CL seems out of our depth with each passing day. So next year we may again be restricted to exchanging posts about this and that official, efusi, wazito blah, blah instead of Zamalek, Mazembe or even Simba.
But as we lament about the elections we have bigger problems.
Football is about players winning titles yet???
“I know the window just opened but do I have the money to sign new players? Polack posed a question to Goal. “I can only talk about new signings when the management gives me to bring in new players, we don’t have money and I don’t know how the situation will unfold.”
There is no certainty about new players coming in but there is certainty about dependable players leaving.
CAF CL seems out of our depth with each passing day. So next year we may again be restricted to exchanging posts about this and that official, efusi, wazito blah, blah instead of Zamalek, Mazembe or even Simba.
Some times forming alliances can be expensive. You can loose because you are in an alliance with a candidate who is unpopular.