By Anderson Ojwang’
Facts don’t lie. Truth is bitter and hard to swallow. But the reality is that the former Cabinet Minister Eliud Owalo has raised the bar in sports administration.
Owalo, the Gor Mahia patron, is a man on a mission. A man on the move to redefine not only Gor Mahia’s fortunes but to set a precedent in football management in the country.
In the footsteps of his grandfather, the late Yohana Owalo, who founded the Nomiya Church, which was the first church in independent Kenya from the missionaries.
Owalo was among the first Luo to convert to Christianity between 1901 and 1902. Yohana was so convicted that his grandson Eliud has borrowed in sports management and particularly and intentionally Gor Mahia.
Snippets of Owalo’s contribution as the patron
When Eliud Owalo was appointed substantive patron of Gor Mahia in November 2025, the club was enduring one of its most difficult periods in recent years.
Owalo inherited a club battling inconsistency, financial uncertainty and low morale. The struggles that cost Gor Mahia the 2024-25 title continued into the new campaign, with an early defeat to Bidco United and a series of poor performances leaving the team stuck in mid-table. Rather than focusing solely on football matters, Owalo sought to strengthen the structures around the club.
“The future of football lies in running clubs professionally and independently. Clubs must move away from dependence on donations, gate collections and short-term sponsorship deals. Instead, he wants Gor Mahia to become a commercially driven institution capable of generating sustainable income.”
“We want Gor Mahia to operate like successful clubs elsewhere in the world and build long-term financial stability,” he said during a stakeholder engagement. Part of that strategy has involved expanding membership, strengthening merchandising and professionalising the club’s management structures.
In 2020, he donated playing kits and tracksuits ahead of the club’s CAF Champions League match against APR of Rwanda. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he hosted players at Sarova Panafric and provided financial support when football activities had been suspended.
Witnessed signing of a Ksh7.5 million sponsorship agreement between Gor Mahia and Spiro
“Today, I was delighted to witness the signing of a sponsorship agreement between Spiro and Gor Mahia FC, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership that will see Spiro become the Club’s Official Electric Mobility Partner. Under the agreement, Spiro will sponsor Gor Mahia FC to the tune of KSh 7.5 million annually, providing timely support as the club prepares for a demanding season that includes the CECAFA Championship, the Kenya Premier League, and the CAF Interclub competitions. Present at the signing ceremony were Spiro Country Head Vishal Mittal, alongside Raymond Kitunga and Flora Limukii from Spiro. Gor Mahia FC was represented by Secretary General Nick Arum, Treasurer Gerphas Okuku, Administration Manager Ronald Ngala, Chairman of the Gor Mahia Fan Branches (COC) Paul Ochar, and COC Secretary George Awino. This partnership is a vote of confidence in Kenyan football and demonstrates the critical role the private sector can play in supporting sports development. Congratulations to Spiro and Gor Mahia FC. Together, we move the game forward.”
Led Gor Mahia management in meeting with German subsidiary, ONEflow Sports
“I have this evening led Gor Mahia management in a meeting with ONEflow Sports, a subsidiary of logistics conglomerate ONEflow GmbH of Stuttgart, Germany. We explored possible areas of collaboration and partnership. The ONEflow team included Director of ONEflow Sports, Jesper Larsen; Head of Academy ONEflow Sports Berni Petersen; Head coach, Miguel de Souza; and Ben Leed, Director for the East African Region. The Gor Mahia Management was led by Chairman Ambrose Rachier; Secretary General Nick Arum; and Treasurer Gerphas Okuku. Strategic partnerships are imperative ahead of the CAF Champions League.”
Gor Mahia land Sh30 million Plascon deal ahead of continental campaign
“This morning, at the Movenpick Hotel in Westlands, Nairobi, I witnessed the signing of a new three-year Ksh30 million sponsorship deal between Gor Mahia FC and Kansai Plascon Kenya Ltd. The Plascon team was led by MD Kota Enami while the Gor Mahia Management was led by Chairman Ambrose Rachier. On behalf of the entire Gor Mahia fraternity, I thank Plascon for the sponsorship and appeal to more corporate sponsors to come on board ahead of the CAF Champions League.”
Hosted Gor Mahia FC to a luncheon in honour of their success
“Today, I hosted a luncheon at the Carnivore Restaurant in honour of Gor Mahia FC following their 22nd Kenyan Premier League success. In attendance were members of the club’s leadership, led by Chairman Ambrose Rachier, Vice Chairperson Sally Bollo, Treasurer Gerphas Okuku, and Administration Manager Ronald Ngala. Present was the technical bench led by Head Coach Charles Akonnor, and the playing unit led by team captain Philemon Otieno. The occasion provided an opportunity to celebrate the team’s remarkable achievement and reaffirm our collective commitment to strengthening the team ahead of the CAF Champions League.”
