'Ferrari's' race to Gor Mahia office

The football journey of the Oketch family unfolds reminiscent of a love story brewed in a city theater hall. 

The Nairobian carried their story of love, Love Brewed in The Stands – (April 5-11, 2013). The story gave a glimpse of the football couple whose romance grew out of their love for the game.

Eight months down the line and what started as football love has propelled one of the couples to the heights of football management.

Her tale is that of a girl who used her resolve to defy a rough male dominated terrain to achieve her desire – never bullied into silence and refused to be made a victim of her past.

Amina Oketch or better still Naima Messa ‘Ferrari’ is no doubt scaling the footballing heights.

When former African Champions Gor Mahia FC took to the polls on January 19, the people of Kochia Clan in Homabay County had their fingers crossed.

Reason, one of their daughter-in-law had thrown a spanner into the works by vying for K’Ogalo’s Deputy Secretary General post.

Ruoth’ Oketch walked by her side in almost all the steps. Dan, who is the head of procurement at Stima Sacco, doubled as ‘Ferrari’s agent at the tallying center.

While Amina won the seat, one major challenge awaits her – Juggling between family, education and Gor affairs.

Amina is however certain of success given both their families are passionate about Gor Mahia.

“A call to serve ‘their favourite club makes you their favourite person, I would probably not be here were my husband not a Gor Mahia fan,” she says.

Experience and youth

The second year student of purchasing and supplies management at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), believes that nothing will blur her vision to deliver on her pre-election pledges.

“My classes are always in the evening,  therefore it’s a balance. I have interacted with the other office holders, and I can assure you, they mean well for this club. In my opinion, a good office should have a balance in both experience and youth. The old have wisdom and a way of cooling things,” she offers.

“We coined a phrase of Gini Marwa and sold it to most voters. We wanted to deliver on our promises. The voters took over the campaign and ‘owned’ it,” adds ‘Ferrari’.

Hooliganism

On fans who thrive in chaos and hooliganism, ‘Ferrari’ says: “Hooliganism is the biggest ill in modern day sports. We could tackle this by resting some responsibility on the fans – Involving them to the core, and making them account for costs incurred due to hooliganism.”

Not all Rosy

All is not rosy for the family – friends and detractors constantly get on the way of the family at times. Dan however, says that he is ready to handle all that comes with his wife being in office.

“Politics is how you handle it. I believe in giving people and letting them do what they believe in most. My wife is passionate about football and I know she’ll make a good leader. I in fact encouraged her to take up the challenge,” said Dan.

The recent Gor Mahia election saw Ambrose Rachier retain the chairman’s seat as Chris Omondi got elected Secretary General in a hotly contested election. Ferari beat incumbent Roselinder Achieng for Deputy Secretary Seneral. Both areformer K’Ogirlo Divas.