It's a two-horse race as Ambani, Mutoka cleared to contest Leopards’ chairmanship
Former international player Boniface Ambani (left) and Enos Vincent Mutoka will contest for AFC Leopards chairmanship.
What you need to know:
- Boniface Ambani will face off with Enos Vincent Mutoka during the club elections scheduled for June 29.
- IEBC has confirmed that 2707 registered members of the club have been cleared to participate in the polls.
The contest for AFC Leopards chairmanship has been narrowed down to a two-horse race following the withdrawal of former club CEO Ronald Namai.
Mr Namai has now thrown his weight behind former international player Boniface Ambani who will face off with the club’s former commercial director, Enos Vincent Mutoka during the club elections scheduled for June 29.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the body mandated to oversee the elections has confirmed that 2707 registered members of the club have been cleared to participate in the polls to be held at MISC, Kasarani between 8am and 1pm.
The campaign period, which kicked off on June 10, is set to end on June 27.
Outgoing chairman, Dan Shikanda, is ineligible to vie after serving for six years since 2019. Shikanda, who is also the Nairobi NEC member of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), has promised to hand over to the new office to be elected during the polls.
Ambani, who played for Leopards, Tusker FC, Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga) and for professional clubs in India and Oman, has vowed to redeem Ingwe’s lost glory.
His most recent role was a sporting director at Mara Sugar, where he played a crucial role in the club’s promotion to the FKF Premier League
Ambani has promised to strengthen the playing unit and improve players’ welfare so as to return the team to winning ways, and more importantly end the club’s 27-year league title drought.
Ambitious programme
The retired striker who helped Leopards win their last league title in 1998 said his leadership will promote inclusivity by granting the women’s team equal attention as their male counterparts.
According to Ambani, his ambitious programme will leverage on boosting the club’s revenue through merchandising and sponsorships from match day kits, training and travelling kits.
Meanwhile, Mutoka has singled out player recruitment, youth development, positive culture, recognition awards and community engagement as his priority areas.
The secretary-general’s post will be contested by Robert Khamala Situma, Isaac Mulanda Mulindi and Irene Sitawa Wekesa aka Renee after Asava Kadima and Dennis Esikuri withdrew their candidature.
From left: Isaac Mulanda Mulindi, Irene Sitawa Wekesa and Robert Khamala Situma who are seeking AFC Leopards secretary general's post.
Mulindi has promised effective communication, sponsorship, extra revenue generation, player welfare/motivation, quality and affordable merchandise, empowering women’s and youth teams and fans mobilization. Situma has promised to return Ingwe to winning ways while Sitawa of ‘Team Mamade Mama’ has promised to introduce sound financial practices.
The trio will be seeking to take over the seat from Caroline Walusaga who is acting in an interim capacity following the death of Gilbert Andugu in May this year.
IEBC has also cleared Patrick Kanyangi, Edward Buhasho and Newton Luchacha to contest the treasurer’s seat. All three candidates have promised financial transparency and accountability if elected to office.
From left: Patrick Kanyangi Logedi, Edward Chamata Buhasho and Newton Lime Luchacha who are seeking AFC Leopards treasurer's seat.
Outgoing treasurer Oliver Napali opted out of the race for personal reasons.
At the same time, IEBC has confirmed that the cleared candidates met all the requirements, including paying a fee of Sh400,000 for those vying for chairmanship and Sh300,000 for the secretary-general and treasurers’ seats.
IEBC will conduct the elections in liaison with the club electoral management group led by Lawrence Weche, Hosea Kisienya, Moffot Mutiba and Dimina Minagi.