Nairobi, April 13 : Chaos erupted during Gor Mahia's general elections at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday Afternoon, with Police forced to fire teargas to disperse crowds.
According to a JULISHA.CO.KE reporter who at Nyayo, fractions of Fans and Delegates from outgoing treasurer Dolfina Odhiambo and incumbent chairman Ambrose Rachier clashed as contention for the Chairperson Heats up.
Police officers who were providing security at the event were forced to intervene as tension escalated, firing tear gas canisters to disperse the crowds.
Delegates and fans scampered to safety with police in hot pursuit.
The Gor Mahia Electoral Board on Wednesday, released the final list of candidates for the club elections.
Long-serving Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier is in the race seeking to extend his 17-year tenure at the helm of K'Ogallo until 2029 if elected at the polls.
Rachier had been reported to be going unopposed earlier in the week but he now has a challenger for the top seat after outgoing treasurer Dolphina Odhiambo threw her hat in the ring for the chairperson’s position.
Three other posts are being contested; the vice-chairperson's position is being contested by former deputy treasurer Sally Bolo and Victor Omondi, while Sam Ochola and Nick Arum are set to battle it out for the secretary general’s post.
Meanwhile, Philip Nyakwana and Gerphas Okuku are both contesting the honorary treasurer’s post while media personality Joseph Ogidi, popularly known as Gigi Gidi, withdrew from the polls, having initially expressed an interest in the secretary general’s position.
The elections followed a ruling by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) in January for the club to conduct elections within 90 days, after its 2019 constitution gave the current executives four years to serve.
Dolfina Odhiambo becomes only the third person to challenge long-serving chairman Rachier for the position after Chris Omondi and Dan Oketch in 2016.
Between 2008 and 2015, Gor Mahia did not hold elections for the chairperson, and in 2020, Rachier won without any opposition.
The elections were being held alongside the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
