AFC Leopards in hunt for new Club Patron

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) side and local giants AFC Leopards in search of a new Club Patron after dismissing Professor Francis Inganji who had held the position for the past five months.

Leopards cut ties with Iganji last week following a decision by the club’s National Executive Committee who assessed he had failed to meet pledges made during his appointment.

Politicians, County of Narok Governor Samuel Ole Tunai and Amani National Congress Leader Musalia Mudavadi – who has previously served Leopards in the capacity – are among those interested in taking over the role.

During his unveiling, Iganji had promised to give the club Ksh5m, set up a youth academy as well as lead an innovative drive that would ensure a steady revenue generation at the Den.

According to Ingwe Secretary General Oscar Igaida, Iganji ultimately failed to deliver on either causing the Executive Committee to lose faith in his leadership.

“When we interviewed him for the role we agreed on the several targets that he needed to meet as the Patron but he failed to meet any of them and in spite of the committee giving him an extra month to rectify his deficiencies he still failed. Therefore we came together as a clubs committee and decided that he was not the right person for the job,“ Igaida told Citizen Digital.

The official added Leopards will spend the next 60 days hunting for potential candidates before settling on a final pick.

Amid the interests from the two political leaders – Tunai and Mudavadi – Igaida maintains finding someone with ‘passion in the club’s day to day activities’ remains a key determining factor.

“Showing interest in taking up the role is one thing but fulfilling responsibilities is another. We need that person who will keenly follow up proceedings at the club including the performance of the team on and off the field,” he said.

Inganji was appointed in September 2016 to succeed former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.

-Report by Mwangi Githinji.