For years, the club staggered through financial hardship, unpaid obligations, endless boardroom fights, and uncertainty. During those difficult years, many of the loudest voices demanding “good governance” today were either in office, comfortably watching from the sidelines, or failed to offer solutions that transformed the club.
Now, suddenly, everyone has become a champion of accountability.
Coincidentally, this renewed passion for governance has emerged just as Gor Mahia is becoming commercially attractive again. Success brings packed stadiums. Packed stadiums attract sponsors. Sponsors bring money. And where there is money, there is always a queue of people claiming they want to “save” the club.
Supporters are entitled to ask a simple question: is this really about governance, or is it about controlling the cheque book?
No one should pretend Gor Mahia is perfectly run. The current officials have been around long enough to share responsibility for both the club’s achievements and its shortcomings. They have seen financial crises, administrative chaos, and repeated leadership disputes. Winning league titles alone cannot be the measure of good leadership. The club still needs stronger institutions that can outlive individuals.
However, replacing one familiar group with another familiar group is hardly the revolution some people are selling.
If those seeking to take over had the opportunity to lead before, what exactly did they build? What lasting reforms did they leave behind? Why should supporters believe that the same people who previously failed to modernise the club have suddenly discovered the blueprint for good governance?
One figure whose contribution has been difficult to ignore is patron Eliud Owalo. Whether one supports him politically or not, his backing has elevated Gor Mahia’s image. The acquisition of a modern team bus was more than a symbolic gesture, it signalled ambition and professionalism at a time when many clubs still struggle with basic logistics.
That is why the court challenge against his appointment raises eyebrows.
If the club’s constitution empowers the Executive Committee under Articles 11 and 12(7) to fill a vacancy in the office of patron, and if that committee formally elevated Owalo following the death of the late patron Raila Odinga before confirming him substantively, then the dispute appears to be about far more than constitutional interpretation. To many supporters, it looks increasingly like another front in a wider political battle for control of the club.
Meanwhile, the biggest losers remain the fans.
While leaders exchange court documents, supporters continue buying match tickets, purchasing merchandise, travelling across the country, and filling stadiums every weekend. Sponsors considering investing in Gor Mahia are watching too. They are not just evaluating the team’s performances, they are assessing whether the club offers a stable environment worthy of long-term investment.
The irony is impossible to ignore. Everyone claims to be fighting for Gor Mahia, yet the endless leadership wars risk driving away the very sponsors whose money everyone seems so eager to control.
Perhaps the greatest threat to Gor Mahia today is not the team it faces on the pitch. It is the endless cycle of boardroom politics, where every successful season becomes the starting whistle for another scramble for power.
The future of Gor Mahia lies in leaders who chase silverware and implement a clear long-term development strategy, not those obsessed with occupying offices.
Editorial Disclaimer
This article is an opinion piece and reflects the views and analysis of the author based on publicly available information and ongoing developments surrounding Gor Mahia Football Club. The opinions expressed are intended to encourage discussion on governance, leadership, and the club’s future and should not be construed as statements of fact regarding the motives, intentions, or conduct of any individual or party. Any legal or constitutional references are based on information available at the time of publication. Readers are encouraged to consider all perspectives as the matter continues to evolve.
