Governor Mutua now lifts ban on Gor Mahia
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has lifted a ban he imposed on Gor Mahia from playing in the county following marathon day-long deliberations with the club’s leadership.
The county government banned the Kenyan Premier League champions from playing in Machakos in 2014 after their fans went on the rampage and damaged property worth millions of shillings after losing to Sofapaka in a delicately poised league encounter at Kenyatta stadium.
” Following negotiations brokered by my Sports Minister Faith Kithu , we have decided to lift the ban for the love of the sport and promotion of sports tourism,” Mutua said.
Mutua made the remarks at his county office after a meeting with Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, chief executive, Lordvic Aduda, treasurer Sally Bolo. Also in attendance was AFC Leopards boss Dan Mule.
At the same time, Gor Mahia have agreed to pay Sh 1 million to the Machakos government as a “goodwill gesture” following the lifting of the ban.
“We know the amount is not enough for the damages caused by our fans, but it’s a goodwill gesture to show our appreciation for being welcomed back,” Rachier said after the meeting.
Speaking in a separate interview with Citizen Digital, Rachier said: “Yes, it is indeed true that we held a meeting and we have agreed to pay the Sh 1 million. It was a protracted meeting. I had sent an appeal to the Machakos County Government.With this agreement, we are going to play our league matches and international matches in Machakos, so we had to go persuade them.We are grateful to them.”
Rachier said that the club has suffered deeply owing to hooliganism and appealed to the club’s fans to learn from the experience.
Gor will now host Leones Vegetarianos from Equatorial Guinea in a CAF encounter on February 10.
In a related development, Mutua said the county government will construct eight stadia, one for each sub-county in the next two years.
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