NAIROBI, 7th June 2026 -The Office of the Sports Registrar has directed Gor Mahia Football Club to initiate the process of electing a new chairman and other officials whose eight-year term expires on 8th June 2026, effectively signaling the end of Ambrose Rachier’s nearly two-decade reign at the helm of Kenya’s most successful football club.
In a letter dated 23rd March 2026, Sports Registrar Rose Wasike firmly reminded the club that it is bound by the provisions of the Sports Act, which limits elected officials to an eight-year term from the date of registration under the current legal framework.
“The Registrar has already advised Gor Mahia on what needs to be done, including removal of officials whose term is ending on 8th June 2026 of their eighth year term stipulated under the Sports Act,” read part of the letter.
Wasike noted that among those affected is long-serving chairman Ambrose Rachier, whose tenure officially ends on 8th June 2026.
The club is now expected to issue a four weeks’ notice to the Sports Registrar to hold elections for the chairman and any other affected officials.
The directive comes in response to complaints lodged by former club Secretary General Sam Ocholla through his advocates, Kowan Advocates Firm.
Ocholla raised several governance and administrative concerns, including the conduct of the club’s Annual General Meeting, the absence of a Board of Trustees and alleged governance irregularities.
He also questioned the appointment of former ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo as substantive Patron without a fully constituted Board of Trustees, as mandated under Article 5.4 of the club’s constitution.
While acknowledging the concerns, the Sports Registrar maintained that some issues remain under review.
“For other issues raised like the issue of the Board of Trustees, the office will do due diligence before acting,” Wasike stated, adding that her office had engaged Gor Mahia on compliance matters since 2017, with some recommendations yet to be fully implemented.
