High cost of travelling bite hard clubs

Nairobi County Governor Dr Evans Kidero shake hands with Ze Maria (left) Coach Gor Mahia FC accompanied by Musa Mohamed Captain Gor Mahia (second left) and Midfieldplayer and Captain AFC Duncan Otieno (right0 when the county governor boosted them ahead of the 'Mashemeji Derby in Nairobi, on Saturday, APRIL 4, 2017. {PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards have lamented the high cost of away matches, which they said were taking a toll on them.

This follows closure of stadia within Nairobi including Nyayo, City Stadium and Kasarani for renovation ahead of the IAAF World U-18 Championships in July and the Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) early next year, which Kenya will host.

The clubs yesterday presented their grievances to Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who they requested to help with the renovation of City Stadium so their home matches could be staged there.

“We have been forced to play all our home matches on away grounds. This is very expensive for us. We urge the Nairobi City County to repair City Stadium to save us from this agony,” AFC Chairman Dan Mule said.

While echoing Mule’s sentiments, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier urged Kidero to help the two clubs access their pieces of land that were granted to them by former President Daniel Arap Moi in Kasarani.

“If we secure the pieces of land, we can start building our own stadiums which will save us from the current situation and at the same time earn us more revenue,” Rachier said.

Kidero, who boosted the clubs with Sh200,000 each ahead of the Mashemeji Derby on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium, warned the cartels that grabbed the pieces of the said land that the parcels would be returned to the rightful owners.

“I will coordinate with the Ministry of Lands to secure the allotments.” [Erick Ochieng]