Gor Mahia FC is one of the most successful clubs both locally and in East and Central Africa.
However, that success did not come on a silver platter - sacrifices had to be made by everyone associated with the club including long-serving chairman Ambrose Otieno Rachier.
TeamKenya.co.ke takes a look at Rachier’s football journey, from where it all started to the helm of K’Ogallo’s management.
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Ambrose started his football career at a tender age in Gem, Siaya County. Like any other Kenya kid, particularly those who grew up in up country, he used to play football made of plastic bags.
“There were occasions when we used to play football naked, particularly after it had rained. We enjoyed playing football made of paper or Jwala,” revealed Rachier in a past interview.
After completing his post primary education, Otieno joined Alliance High School where he continued playing football, helping the Kiambu-based learning institution bag a couple of trophies.
The father of five then proceeded to Madagascar to study French before joining the Kenya School of Law where he undertook further studies and qualified as a legal practitioner.
Rachier landed Gor Mahia’s management role by luck - he never once dreamt of leading the multiple Kenya Premier League champions.
According to the University of Dar es Salaam alumni, K’Ogallo fans stormed into his office demanding for him to assume the club’s chairmanship role.
“I had just lost the Gem parliamentary seat and one morning, while in the office, I heard a commotion outside. Upon inquiry, I found a huge group of Gor fans who demanded to see me.
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“They took me to City Stadium and declared I am the chairman. I called the then chairman who was so happy to relinquish the title. That’s how I became Gor chairman.” he divulged.
In a recent interview, Rachier explained how he often makes sacrifices to ensure Gor Mahia stay afloat.
“The money is not from the Gor Mahia account. It is from my pocket. The team needs to train, eat and go to the gym. The club has no money, so many of the times, we have to use our personal funds to keep the team going,” he was quoted by The Standard.
Rachier further explained how he had to dig into his pockets to make it possible for Gor Mahia to honor a continental assignment.
“A few months ago we were to honor an international match in Zambia. If the team didn’t go, it would be fined a minimum of Sh10 million, asked to foot the other team’s travel expenses, and banned for three years.
“The club had no money. The government promised tickets but backed out at the last minute. The tickets were going to cost Sh7 million but we shopped around and chartered a plane for Sh5 million.
“The secretary-general gave Sh2 million, I gave Sh1 million and we were given the plane,” added the man who regularly does morning runs to keep fit.
Under Otieno’s leadership, Gor Mahia have won numerous trophies including more than five Kenya Premier League titles.
Elsewhere, Rachier went viral a few days ago after declaring that he is a member of a secret group known as the Freemasonry Society.
Reacting to the revelation, Gor Mahia issued a statement on Monday, October 3 distancing itself from Rachier’s movement and urging fans to stay calm.
“As the SG of Gor Mahia FC and on behalf of the EC, I watched with interest our Chairman’s interview about the Freemasons.
“The EC members, players, employees and the Mighty Gor Mahia Football Club want to assure our fans that we are not part of the Freemasons society and that our chairman’s affiliation to that society is a personal journey as attested in the media.
"The EC kindly request all fans of the club to stay calm as we mitigate the way forward. Thank you,” read a statement from Ochola.
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