What was meant to be a decisive day in Gor Mahia’s leadership transition almost spiraled into chaos on Sunday, April 13, as tensions flared at the Nyayo Stadium during the club’s much-anticipated elections.
Police were forced to intervene with tear gas to disperse clashing factions before calm was eventually restored.
The incident, which briefly disrupted the voting process, saw delegates and fans fleeing as rival groups clashed over the conduct of the polls.
While the exact cause of the unrest remains unclear, early reports suggest that some supporters were unhappy with how the elections were being managed.
Despite the chaos, the situation was quickly brought under control, allowing the electoral process to continue without further interruption.
In a statement shared via its official social media channels, Gor Mahia downplayed the incident.
“A small incident here, but order restored. Nothing really big or serious. Our fans are used to tear gas, anyway. The election process is going on well,” the club posted.
The elections, held concurrently with the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), drew significant attention as fans and members of the Kenya Premier League giants turned out to elect new officials to steer the club forward.
The AGM took place at the stadium’s basketball courts.
At the heart of the contest was long-serving chairman Ambrose Rachier, who was seeking to defend the position he has held since 2008.
Rachier once again emerged victorious, defeating his main challenger Dolphina Achieng by garnering 658 votes to her 456.
With this win, Rachier begins another four-year term, which will see him mark over two decades at the helm of the historic football club by 2029.
Other notable contenders in the race for the chairperson position included former club treasurer Sally Bolo and football administrator Philip Nyakwaka.
The elections were held in compliance with a directive from the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT), which required the club to conduct fresh polls within 90 days following a constitutional amendment in 2019 that limited executive terms to four years.
While the day began with tension, the end result reaffirmed continuity at Gor Mahia, with Rachier once again entrusted to lead one of Kenya’s most decorated football clubs into the future.
