K’OGALO IN TROUBLE: Gor Mahia locked out of Nyayo and Camp Toyoyo Stadium
Football
By
Gilbert Wandera
| Feb 23, 2017
Former Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have been locked out of their offices at Nyayo Stadium over unpaid rent.
Documents in our possession indicate that the club owes Sh4.6million in rent arrears something that forced the Sports Stadia Management Board (SSMB) to lock them out.
Furthermore, the team was also locked out of their training ground on Monday at Camp Toyoyo over a debt they owe the management of the facility.
An official of the SSMB who asked not to be named said they closed the club’s offices at Nyayo Stadium last week.
“We have had a problem with the club regarding the payment of rent and now the figure has accrued to Sh4.6million. We have asked them to clear this before we can allow them to use the facility,” he said.
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In 2011, Gor Mahia took a whole wing at the Nyayo Stadium for which they were required to pay a monthly rent of Sh85,000. This figure was to go up by ten per cent every year. The current rent is Sh103,000 per month.
The SSMB official complained that Gor Mahia have been inconsistent in paying rent at the facility.
“The last payments we received were two cheques for Sh253,740, but what they owe is still substantial. We have given them the invoice to clear what they owe before we can open the offices.”
He said the board will not hesitate to take back the offices if the debt is not cleared soon.
A player at Gor Mahia who asked not to be named for fear of retribution said the team was not allowed to train at Camp Toyoyo on Monday.
“We arrived at the training ground only for the management to ask us to leave because the office has not paid up. On Tuesday, we trained at Kasarani and today we have been asked to report for training at Parklands Sports Club,” said the player.
Efforts to have Gor Mahia officials comment on the matter were fruitless as none of them was willing to be quoted on the issue.
The club was recently awarded a licence to take part in the top tier league on the strength that they have an office and a training ground.
The licence comes up for review in the middle of the year and this could affect their chances of being licensed for next season if they will not have sorted out these issues before then. The club went to the polls three months ago where Ambrose Rachier was given a new four year tenure. The Nairobi based lawyer has in previous campaigns promised to build a stadium for the club.