Walter Onyino appointed AFC Leopards boss

AFC Leoparads fans celebrates their 1-0 victory against Sofapaka in the KPL match at Nyayo Stadium on .PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

AFC Leopards have made changes to their management even as key players left the club on the last day of the transfer window.

Walter Onyino has returned to the club as chairman of a caretaker committee to oversee the running of the cash-strapped side for three months.

Onyino was installed to the helm during a stormy Annual General Meeting (AGM) held yesterday.
AFC Leopards Embakasi branch Chairman Dan Mule was unanimously appointed as the new vice chairman.

Other members named in the interim committee include Pamela Lutta (Treasurer), Felix Shitsama (Organising Secretary), Steve Munga (Assistant Treasurer), Standard Sports Editor Robin Toskin and Peter Lichungu.

It was not, however, smooth sailing for Onyino, as some members wanted Nairobi businessman Amin Walji Junior and Nairobi county speaker Alex Ole Magelo to take charge of the team owing to their financial muscle.

This proposal was, however, dismissed and the new committee confirmed. Other changes saw Kadima Kasava, who was previously the deputy secretary general, take over as Secretary General.

threw in the towel

Kasava replaces former Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa, who now becomes a committee member. On the other hand, Felix Shitsama replaced Timothy Lilumbi as the club’s Organising Secretary.

Lilumbi threw in the towel two weeks ago after a section of fans held demonstrations against him.

In his acceptance speech, Onyino said their immediate task is to get money to run the team until the end of the season.

“I want to thank members for bestowing upon me this great honour of leading AFC Leopards. We find ourselves in a precarious position and have to get money to motivate our players until the end of the season,” he said.

He added that new elections will be held in December, while another Special General Meeting (SGM) is scheduled for next month.

Yesterday’s meeting also appointed new auditors Shilatsi & Associates to take charge of accounting exercise as per the club constitution.

Elsewhere, Leopards have lost the services of three influential players Abdalla Juma, Noah Wafula and Emmanuel Ngama. The three have joined Tusker on a free transfer.

The three become the latest to leave the club after Wycliffe Kasaya, Martin Imbalambala (Nakumatt FC), Titus Wamalwa (Chemelil Sugar), Ezekiel Seda (Mathare United), Joel Bataro (Sony Sugar), Jacob Keli (Nkana FC, Zambia), Mussa Mudde (Bandari) and Joseph Shikokoti (Ushuru), hit the exit door.

The club could also lose the services of Jackson Saleh and Michael Khamati, who have also indicated their desire to leave on a free transfer.

The club has been struggling and more players have hinted they want to jump ship.