Gor Mahia’s long-serving chairman Ambrose Rachier has officially announced his intention to extend his leadership at the country’s most successful club when elections are held on April 13 at Nyayo Stadium’s Basketball Arena in Nairobi.

Rachier who has been at the helm of the club for 17 years yesterday said he was within the law to seek an extension during the polls where he will face off against current club treasurer Dolphina Odhiambo.

He said he had unfinished business at the club as he has begun plans of putting up a stadium for the record Premier League winners and has laid down plans to make the side a continental giant.

“The Sports Act demands that a club must have a constitution and I meet all the conditions set by the club’s 2019 constitution, which was used in the 2020 elections, so my candidature for a second four-year term is legitimate. Regulation 20 allows anyone who has served for a single term of four years to,” Rachier said yesterday during a media briefing about the polls whose notice was published by Secretary-General Samuel Ochola yesterday. The polls will be conducted by a free and fair electoral board.

In the race

The Electoral Board will comprise five members led by sports administrator Gichu Wahome, while other members are professor Ben Tihanya, Henry Owero, Omondi Oketch and Rose Anyango. Eight observers from different sectors will oversee the exercise and the Returning Officer will be provided by the Independent Electoral Boundary Commission (IEBC).

He added: “I’m strongly in the race and I’m submitting my papers right away, they are all here. I’m ready and I want to make sure that Gor Mahia win more titles to become invisible and make an impact in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.”

The elections notice comes in the backdrop of a Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) ruling in January that ordered Gor Mahia to conduct elections within 90 days, citing a breach of the constitution after the current executive had overstayed its term.

The court found that the executive’s four-year mandate, which began in August 2020, expired on August 8, 2024. The case had been filled by Bernard Omollo, who sued chairman Rachier, deputy chairman Francis Wasuna, secretary Ocholla and treasurer Odhiambo for failing to hold elections within stipulated timelines.