Dandora fans raise Sh12,000 to pay Captain Shakava’s rent

Gor Mahia captain Harun Shakava in a past match [Courtesy]

A group of Gor Mahia fans recently came together to raise money to help captain Harun Shakava.

Shakava had outstanding rent — and was allegedly at risk of being thrown out of his house.

Shakava is alleged to have missed their match against Ulinzi Stars after he was reportedly locked out of his house in Nairobi’s South B estate.

It was then that some fans bailed him out last Friday. 
The fans, under the umbrella of Sharp Corner branch - Dandora, donated a total of Sh13,000; Sh12, 000 of which was to pay Shakava’s rent, while the other Sh1,000 catered for shopping.

The group’s secretary, Fredrick Omondi, says they could not just sit and watch their ‘beloved’ player suffer after delivering the league’s title ‘home’, and that Shakava had served the club well to deserve the fans’ help.

Shakava is alleged to have missed their match against Ulinzi Stars after he was reportedly locked out of his house [Courtesy]

“We’ve heard that our players have not been paid their salaries and that some of them have not been able to afford basic needs, as a result. Harun Shakava is one of the players we heard was unable to pay his rent and this really pained us as fans. We called him and he confirmed the situation, that’s why we decided to help,” said Omondi.

Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia have been going through a rough patch after their coffers allegedly ran dry.

The club’s Organizing Secretary Judith Anyango alias Nyangi confirmed to The Nairobian that players had not received their August salaries and allowances — which she blamed for their dismal performance having stumbled since their win against AFC Leopards in August. She also admitted that some of the players could be going through tough times off the pitch due to lack of money.

“The players have not received their salaries and allowances for the month of August. The club chairman had indicated that the payments will be made by the end of September and we’re all waiting,” Nyangi who posted a message thanking fans said.

The former Kakamega Homeboyz defender told a rather different story. He admitted that Gor Mahia owes them salaries and allowances, but insisted that he has never had a problem with paying rent.

“Players have not been paid and things are not very smooth for most of us right now, but for me, I had cleared my rent arrears. In fact, I usually pay up front,” he said.

“I can confirm that I stay in a house whose monthly rent is Sh12,000 in South B. Indeed the fans gave me the cash plus some shopping. I didn’t, however, ask for the help; they did it voluntarily as a way of appreciating me.”

Shakava used the opportunity to accuse Gor Mahia’s Organizing Secretary Nyangi of playing games with the salary delays in order to attract ‘cheap’ publicity. He says that Nyangi is spoiling the club’s name following a Facebook post she about players’ suffering.

“The entire thing has been stage-managed by Nyangi. She is the one peddling lies that I’ve been unable to pay rent and that the fans bailed me out. I think she’s looking for some cheap publicity using the players’ situation,” he said.