Onyino back on ballot at AFC Leopards elections

By GILBERT WANDERA

Former AFC Leopards vice-chairman Walter Onyino has made a dramatic return on the ballot paper and will now contest for the top seat in Friday’s elections.

Onyino said his decision to have his name on the ballot paper was due to pressure from people who look up to him to provide leadership in the club.

“I have come to the conviction that I should not keep off simply because some people don’t want me. There are many others who are looking up to me and cannot let them down,” he said.

Onyino said if elected his main agenda would be to grow the club’s membership as well as increase revenue streams.

Onyino will be up against Allan Kasavuli and Mathews Opwora in a battle that will be closely contested.

Kasavuli said he will put up a functional physical office within a month of being elected.

Kasavuli, who heads Team Digital, said it was a shame that, 50 years down the line Leopards still has no home.

“It is unacceptable and we have to change within this generation. Team Digital represents those aspirations,” Kasavuli said as various aspirants hit the home stretch in the campaign trail ahead of club’s poll on Saturday.

“Alex ole Magelo has done very good for this club in his time as chairman and I would like to thank him. I now think it is my time to pick up from where he left and take this club to another level. This team needs better structures and better management,” Kasavuli said.

He added: “Celebrating 50 years of existence of the club next year would be a shame if the club would still be in the same state it was in when it started. We have to grow this club further because it is a big club and deserves respect in and out of the country.”

Kasavuli, who has received the backing out outgoing chairman Alex Ole Magelo, called on Ingwe nation not to be torn apart by the spat following controversy surrounding their deal with Zuku Sports.

“We leave it to the current office to handle it because it is only them and Zuku that know the details of the deal.

 “It is a deal that requires sober approach where all parties concerned would sit down and thrash out the grey areas,” he said.

Kasavuli will meet all AFC Leopards branch officials today at a Nairobi hotel.

 Apart from the position of chairman, the other position that has drawn a lot of attention is that of the Secretary General. Oscar Igaida one of the contenders for this position has he is committed to instill professionalism if elected.

“I promise to do this within 30 days of assuming office and also appointed a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to run the day to day affairs of the club,” he said.

He is vying against former Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa and the current Deputy Secretary General Muketi Murunga.