By Anderson Ojwang
From the usual and age-old Mashemeji derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards that has shaped Kenya’s football for eons, a new rivalry and derby is emerging ahead of the new season. The derby of the patrons.
This time, President William Ruto’s blue-eyed boys Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo and Permanent Secretary for Internal Security and Administration Dr Raymond Omollo have a date with destiny.
Owalo is the deputy patron of the mighty Gor Mahia while Omollo is the patron of the new kids on the block, Kenya Police, the league winners.
Omollo had a sweet laugh over his colleague when Kenya Police Football Team lifted the league and dislodged Gor Mahia from the coveted seat and the dominance.
For Omollo, it was a dream come true, while for Owalo, it was a nightmare and disappointment to witness Police lift the league.
Stung by the loss, Owalo and Gor Mahia officials led by the chairman Ambrose Rachier returned to the boardroom and perfected a radical change in the team.
Gor Mahia FC terminated the contracts of its entire technical bench, including the head coach, Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno, following a trophyless season. This decision, announced on 2 July 2025, was part of a broader restructuring aimed at strengthening the club’s technical and operational departments. The club has also let go of security personnel and plans to advertise for vacant positions, including the head coach, in the coming weeks.
“This decision follows a comprehensive internal review and is part of the Club’s broader restructuring process aimed at strengthening its technical and operational capacity,” said Club Chairman Ambrose Rachier in the statement.
The club also indicated that they were looking to reclaim their dominance in the Kenya Premier League and make a stronger impact in continental competitions.
The previous season was marked by instability in the coaching department, with multiple changes and friction among the technical staff. The club is reportedly taking a strategic approach to ensure a smooth transition and a strong start to the new season.
Owalo has not been sleeping, he has been on the move while Omollo is busy coordinating the CHAN tournament and criss-crossing the country to oversee security and safety measures. On the footballing sector, the former CS is terrorising and tormenting opponents.
After leading Police Football Club to their first-ever Premier League silverware and forcing the mighty Gor Mahia to conduct a radical surgery in the technical bench and team management, Omollo is not about to relent.
While the Executive and President William Ruto delegated the coordination of the CHAN event to Omollo, who has lived up to the challenge, Owalo has been a constant feature at Harambee Stars camp signing exciting players for the mighty Gor Mahia.
Owalo recently witnessed signing of Kenya One goalkeeper Byrne Omondi from Bandari to the den. Also signed to the mighty K’Ogalo were Michael Kibwage, a skilled defender who previously played for Tusker FC.
Gor Mahia welcomed Lewis Bandi, a right-back transferring from AFC Leopards, who is also part of the Harambee Stars CHAN team.
Bandi is known for his quickness and ability to support the defence, bringing a fresh dynamic to Gor Mahia’s style of play.
It is also said in some quarters that Gor Mahia have signed defensive midfielder Fidel Origa from Bandari FC, left-back Siraj Mohammed from Bandari FC, striker Veron Ombima from Darajani Gogo, and striker Felix Oluoch from Posta Rangers Football Club.
Owalo is now ready to revenge on Omollo and recently witnessed the appointment of a new technical bench. Gor welcomed Charles Akonnor, a former Ghana national team coach and captain, as their new head coach.
“I strongly believe that Coach Akonnor has the technical ability and leadership skills required to steer Gor Mahia back to winning ways. Akonnor’s appointment comes at a crucial time as Gor Mahia aims to reclaim its dominance in both local and continental football,” he said.
Despite Omollo, the patron of Police FC, having written history by dislodging Gor Mahia and Tusker from dominating the Kenya Premier League and transforming the team as the new kids on the block, he is not sitting pretty safe.
He must go back to the drawing board to strategise to avoid Owalo’s scalpel that is baying for his blood.
Omollo wrote in his Facebook page after the victory: “As Patron of the FKF Premier League Champions, Kenya Police FC, I had the distinct honour of leading the team to a special breakfast meeting with H.E. President Willliam Ruto at State House, Nairobi.
The celebratory occasion brought together distinguished leaders to recognise and applaud the club’s historic triumph, securing their first-ever Premier League title.
Kenya Police FC’s achievement is not just a milestone for the club but a significant moment for Kenyan football, inspiring young athletes across the nation to dream big and strive for excellence.
Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), Salim Mvurya (Youth Affairs and Sports), Hassan Joho (Mining & Blue Economy), and Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi (Sports) were in attendance.“
The PS, who is a statistician, is scaling heights with his performance and that is why he has not let down the President and the country in coordinating and ensuring safety during the games.
It will be interesting to watch how the President Ruto’s blue-eyed boys face the new season and if Omollo will score a double against K’Ogalo.
