DAUNTING TASK: Gor chairman Rachier's duty to unite divided K'Ogalo family

Gor Mahia's Ambrose Rachier with his supporters after being relected to club chairmanship position during the elections at Kasarani Stadium on December 11, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Ambrose Rachier retained his post as Gor Mahia chairman during the club's elections on Sunday and thereafter promised to unite all K'Ogalo followers.

In what local football pundits had expected to be an exercise filled with acts of violence, the elections were all smooth and clam, with Nairobi-based lawyer Rachier garnering 579 votes against Okech's 220. Former Gor's Secretary General Chris Omondi had 157 votes.

"I was extremely confident of victory because of the records I posted at Gor Mahia, including winning numerous silverware and that is one thing, which will remain at K'Ogalo.

Gor Mahia's new organizing secretary Judith Anyango is all smile after winning her the position during club elections at Kasarani Stadium on December 11, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

"I had no line up and will work with those elected by members of the club," said Rachier.

"My first duty will be to reunite all K'Ogalo fans and candidates. I know there are some divisions, but I intend to work closely with those who contested against me. My second task with my new committee will be to deal with our club's constitution so that we can be compliant with the Sports Act. We have deadline of June 16, 2017 to be compliant with new guidelines for club licensing. We also hope the case filed in court, which will be mentioned on Tuesday (today), will be withdrawn"

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which oversaw the peaceful process, was led by Crispine Owiye, who applauded the delegates and candidates for providing a conducive environment for the elections.

"We must admit the elections met the threshold of a free and fair elections. We didn't witness any acts of violence. The counting process was also interactive and democratic" said Owiye, shortly after announcing the winners.

The registered voters were 3,002, but only 982 turned up for the exercise, which saw Francis Wasuna elected unopposed as the club's senior vice chairman.

Gor Mahia elections board led by Chairman Patrick Lumumba Adera and vice chairman Mohammed Ibrahim Papa applauded the club members for observing discipline during the exercise.

"Today, we saw the true face of democracy. We can avoid violence if we have credible elections. What we have shown is that we can do better, if we put our hearts and mind to it. For those have lost, join the winners," said Papa.