D-day for Gor Mahia as election case goes for full hearing at Sports Tribunal

Gor Mahia chairmanship candidates Dan Okech and Ambrose Rachier (right) shows their thumps after casting their votes during the club elections at Kasarani Stadium on December 11, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

 

The Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT) will from today start hearing a case in which Dan Okech has challenged the election of Ambrose Rachier as Gor Mahia chairman.

Okech will be hoping to convince the tribunal chaired by John Ohaga to order for fresh elections and allow some 1,564 voters who were locked out when the polls were held last year to take part in the process.

Okech according to his lawyer Omondi Omollo believes those who were locked out are his supporters and he was therefore at a disadvantage during the elections.

"We were and still remain aggrieved over the decision by the electoral board to lock out my client's supporters from taking part in the polls. Had they been allowed to take part, it would have changed the outcome of the polls significantly," he said.

The tribunal allowed the case to proceed to full hearing after throwing out prayers by the lawyer representing Ambrose Rachier to have the matter dismissed for lack of merit.

Rachier's lawyer Geoffrey Obura had threatened to move to the High Court to set aside the ruling by the tribunal but it is unclear whether he went ahead with his threat.

The tribunal will give both parties an opportunity to present their arguments before it makes a decision on the matter in two weeks.

The tribunal has the authority to either call for fresh elections by allowing those locked out to vote in a fresh process or dismiss the matter. Rachier had garnered 579 votes in the polls with Okech collecting 220 votes.

The tribunal has the authority to either call for fresh elections by allowing those locked out to vote in a fresh process or dismiss the matter. Rachier had garnered 579 votes in the polls with Okech collecting 220 votes.

At the moment, the Ambrose Rachier executive is operating on interim basis until the matter is heard and determined by the tribunal. Elsewhere, Gor Mahia thrashed Muhoroni Youth 5-1 in a friendly match played at the latter's backyard over the weekend. It was the biggest win for the club during the pre-season and came as a major boost for under pressure Brazillian coach Jose Marcelo.

Meanwhile, Ulinzi Stars will play AFC Leopards on Saturday in a build-up match ahead of their first leg CAF Confederations Cup fixture against Egyptian club Smouha.

"It is important that we keep the concentration and fitness at 100 percent because we are in for a very tough assignment. So far, we have done well and training is going on without a hitch," Ulinzi coach Benjamin Nyangweso said.

The team played KCB last Saturday, winning by a solitary goal scored by Daniel Waweru in the second half, Waweru finished off from an Oscar Wamalwa cross. Coach Nyangweso fielded two different teams in either half as he sought to keep the entire squad on toes.

"We played very well especially in the second half when all the first team players came in. We created chances which is something good and now we ought to work on our finishing. The match against AFC will be important because they are tougher opponents and they will give us a picture of where we are," added the coach.