Odindo Ayieko
20 June 2006
Nairobi — Gor Mahia FC have been kicked out of Kenya's top flight football league after failing to honour matches.
The Kenya Premier League Limited yesterday confirmed the suspension and automatic relegation of the club Ð winners of 13 local league titles, eight cup titles, five regional diadems and one continental title for repeatedly breaking Kenya Football Federation rules even after being allowed to resume playing.
It marks the end of an era for one of the most celebrated clubs in African football named after a legendary Luo medicine-man "Gor" whose skills earned him the name Mahia (enigma).
This is the first time Gor Mahia have been tossed out of the league since the club's formation in in 1968 following the amalgamation of Luo United and Luo Stars football clubs.
But while KPL managing director Jack Oguda was categorical that there was no recourse for Gor Mahia, Kenya Football Federation secretary Dan Omino said suspension and relegation of clubs was a matter that could only be handled by the federation's Annual General Meeting or a special meeting.
In his letter Oguda said "The KPL senior management commitee confirmed the automatic suspension and relegation of Gor Mahia for repeatedly breaking KFF rules even after they were allowed to resume playing.
Some Premier League clubs expressed sympathy for the club's players and fans.
Oguda said the decision to suspend Gor was final. He said KPL had used KFF rule 2.4 to take the action on Gor. The rule states that "A club that fails to honour three league matches in the same season without providing written explanation acceptable to the commitee would be suspended for the rest of the season, be relegated to a lower league for the next season and may face other disciplinary action."
But KFF secretary general Dan Omino said the federation was awaiting Gor Mahia's response to a letter to the club explaining the circumstances leading to the boycott of matches.
"As far as KFF is concerned, we will await Gor Mahia's response. We want to sort out the matter amicably because Gor Mahia is one of our (KFF) members. The powers to suspend and/or relegate a club are vested on KFF and are taken by the AGM members," observed Omino.
He said KPL must also furnish KFF with details.
Gor Mahia secretary Andrew Sulleh alleged the club had allen victim to a cartel within KPL and accused KFF of running away from its responsibilities of ensuring the league was run smoothly.
"How can we have people with vested interests in the Premier League discuss and discipline one of its opponents in a competition?" Sulleh said.
Three months ago, KPL deducted three points from Gor Mahia and fined the club Sh 31,000 after club fans attacked a referee. When Gor failed to pay the fine, KPL ordered that Gor forfeit their subsequent games until they settle the fine. When the fine was finally paid by an anonimous official of another KPL club according to Oguda, Gor refused to take to the pitch.
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