Rachier: This is why I’m leaving Gor Mahia

Long serving Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier,69,  has shocked the football world announcing his intent to step down from his role at the end of the year.

In a heart-to-heart interview with Citizen Digital, Rachier said that he will not offer himself for re-election in December – during which the constitutional changes he has instituted at the club are expected to culminate in fresh polls.

“My position is that we’re going through the constitution making process which should be concluded in June. I estimate that we will need another six months to put everything in place and by December, in my estimation, we should have elections.

He added: “What I’m saying is that I won’t offer myself for re-election at the end of the year in the next election.

“We will be looking for some window period…to hold elections so that it doesn’t interfere with the team,” he said.

Queried as to why he’s suddenly leaving a club which he has served with distinction for 11 years, Rachier said: “The new Sports Act requires us (federation officials and club presidents) to do two terms of four years.

He went on: “Overstaying is usual; it is a disease especially at levels of governance in Africa. It’s a noble thing to leave it (leadership) to younger generation. There are others who think I’ve overstayed and now refer to me as ‘Mugabe’,” he joked.

In the recent past Rachier under whose tenure Gor rose from the woods after a 15-year period of lull and began to challenge for titles had indicated that he won’t “desert the club” but leave it in the care of capable hands.

Asked as to whether he still sticks to this school of thought, he opined:  “I actually won’t say that I’ve picked somebody (to take over the leadership)but I do not want to leave chaos… I won’t campaign for somebody but I’ll look for means not to leave it in chaos… but eventually it will be members decision.”

Vilified and adored in equal measure,  Rachier stint saw the club end their 18-year wait for a Kenyan Premier League title claiming the coveted gong in 2013 and have since gone on to monopolise the competition, winning it six times under his watch besides bagging two KPL Top Eight titles, a further four KPL Super Cups and two domestic cups.

Since then K’Ogalo have made appearances at the continental football every year bar in 2017, reaching the quarter finals of the Caf Confederations Cup this term.

However critics point to his failure to lead the club in building its own stadium, training facility an a club house.

Either way, whichever one looks at it, his exit is set to be a hit below the belt for the glamour club with the much sought after financial freedom still a mirage.