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David Ndolo and Barry Silah

AFC Leopards financial woes were reduced massively Thursday following a funds drive that raised Shs 8,068,000 during a Harambee held at the United Kenya Club in Nairobi.

Leaders led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga, ANC Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya were among the club supporters that turned up to support the club financially to help them offset their pending debts. Out of the money realised, Sh6 million will go towards clearance of former players arrears who had reported the club to world football governing body FIFA for breach of contracts.

President Kenyatta sent Sh 2 million, Odinga sent Sh 1 million, Mudavadi who was in attendance gave Sh 1 million,  Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eugene Wamalwa gave Sh1.1m while Oparanya offered Sh 500,000.

Other contributions included Sh 250,000 from Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Sh 400,000 from Westlands Member of Parliament Tim Wanyonyi who also promised an additional Sh 1.2 million over the next 12 months.

The Ingwe Branches contributed a total Sh 444,400 while Makadara MP George Aladwa gave Sh100,00 and his Navakholo counterpart Emmanuel Wangwe sent Sh 50,000.

Chief Guest CS Wamalwa urged all the Abaluhya community to support the club for posterity.

“We should love our own and support it fully. It is what brings us together and I would urge all of us to never stop helping out.

I want to applaud President Kenyatta who has always been a big supporter and other leaders as well who have stood with our club,” Wamalwa said.

He added: “In particular, special mention goes to the branches and the management for continuing to put the club afloat despite the numerous challenges. I want to assure the club that we will continue being together.”

Chairman Dan Shikanda stated that the club will partner with like-minded person’s to grow its brand.

“We will continue looking out for support. It is not an ideal situation when we have a wage bill of Sh 5 million per month such that even the money we get from our sponsoring partners is enough to sustain a club with at least 50 employees.

In the meantime special thanks goes to CS Amina who had earlier gave us Sh 700,000 to clear some debts, finish registration and issues of survey,” he said.

He added: “I want to assure our supporters that all monies will be put to good use.

In the last two years, we have been out looking for partners to build this team and the plan is in the near future we start making our own money.”

Governor Oparanya on his part urged Ingwe to have a plan of posterity.

“This team must go far and with our help that will happen.This is our team and we cannot abandon it whatsoever. I have served in this club as an official before so I know the challenges.

We probably need a plan to make the club more sustainable if we adapt Corporate Management Systems,” said the ODM Deputy Party Leader.