Court to rule on AFC Leopards election case

AFC Leopards will now know the fate of their club elections on Friday following a petition launched by the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) club’s former striker Boniface Ambani.

In the petition, Ambani wants the election stopped claiming that his rights have been violated by the club after they denied him a chance to contest for the position of chairman.

The former Kenyan international stated he received an email from a club official notifying him that he does not meet the qualifications needed to vie for the position.

Leopards have however asked the court to dismiss the suit arguing that the club will suffer insurmountable losses if the elections are cancelled or postponed.

Through their lawyer, Leopards submitted receipts showing that the payments of the printed ballot papers, venue and even the IEBC have been made in preparation for the event.

“Cancelling the elections or postponing the elections, would mean that the club will not have officials. The club is participating in the KPL and are preparing for the next season,” the court heard.

Further in its defense, Leopards questioned the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter. They submitted a section of the club’s constitution that has provisions set out for formal complaints.

According to the provisions, such matters are filed before the returning officer of the club before proceeding to the election management group. Hence, Ambani’s decision to file suit in the high court was in complete ignorance of the constitution.

Leopards also dismissed claims that the petitioner was disqualified from vying based on provisions of the earlier mentioned club’s constitution. It is alleged that Boniface Ambani did not pay the required fee to be a member of the club.

“Being a former player does not exempt him (Ambani) from paying required fee since this only applies to active players,’’ reads court papers.

The ruling is on the matter will be determined tomorrow by Justice Weldon Korir. This is even as leopards Secretary Genral Oscar Igaida who will also not be in the ballot since he failed the vetting process.

Those who are vying for the position of chairman include contestants include, Dan Shikanda, Ronald Namai and Ben Musundi.

Oliver Shikuku and Robert situma vying for the position of secretary general. Those vying for treasurer include Oliver Imbenzi and Maurice Chichi