Gor Mahia has been embroiled in a financial and leadership controversy following a failed transfer deal involving right-back Ronney Onyango, which has drawn attention both locally and regionally. The Tanzanian club, Singida Big Stars, had agreed to pay Ksh 5 million (approximately $40,000) in November 2024 for Onyango’s transfer to their side. However, the deal fell apart when the player decided to stay at Gor Mahia and explore other options for his career at the end of the season.
Singida Big Stars, frustrated by the collapse of the deal, made an official demand for the return of the funds. On January 30, 2025, the Tanzanian club issued a 14-day ultimatum for Gor Mahia to refund the $40,000 they had wired for Onyango’s transfer. In their letter, Singida outlined that the failure of the transfer was due to Gor Mahia’s own actions, and they demanded a refund. They also warned that if Gor Mahia failed to act within the stipulated time frame, they would escalate the issue to FIFA for breach of contract.
Gor Mahia, however, has yet to refund the money, and the club’s officials are locked in a bitter dispute over the transfer and the handling of the funds. Dolphina Odhiambo, the club’s treasurer, has publicly stated that the money never passed through the official channels of the club. Odhiambo, despite being excommunicated from the club’s executive committee, still officially holds the role of treasurer. She issued a statement distancing herself and the club’s financial office from the controversy.
“I wish to state that the monies wired by Singida FC did not pass through the club’s official account and that my office was never involved,” Odhiambo said in a statement that has added further fuel to the fire. She also expressed concern about the negative light the situation has cast on Gor Mahia, both within Kenya and across the region. The confusion and allegations surrounding the missing funds have only deepened the crisis within the club.
The situation surrounding the failed transfer and the missing funds has triggered a sense of frustration among Gor Mahia’s supporters, who are already grappling with internal divisions within the club. The fans’ loyalty to the club has been tested, with many questioning the transparency of the leadership in handling such significant financial matters.
Adding to the club’s woes is the ongoing leadership crisis at Gor Mahia. Odhiambo, in her statement, took aim at the club’s chairman, Ambrose Rachier, accusing him of deliberately delaying the holding of elections for the club’s leadership. She suggested that these delays were part of an effort by Rachier to extend his term as chairman beyond its legal limits.
According to the Sports Registrar, Rose Wasike, Gor Mahia is required to hold elections before the end of May 2025. Odhiambo has demanded a clear roadmap from the club’s leadership, outlining the timeline and procedures for conducting the elections. In her five-point ultimatum, Odhiambo made it clear that Rachier must adhere to the directive and hold elections within the prescribed period.
“The delays were deliberate attempts by the current club chairman to try and extend his illegal term,” Odhiambo stated, echoing the frustrations of many fans and stakeholders within the club. The issue of governance at Gor Mahia has been a long-standing concern, with calls for more transparency, accountability, and democracy in the club’s leadership.
In addition to the financial issues, there are also growing concerns over the club’s future direction. While Gor Mahia has made headlines with new signings and coaching changes, including the appointment of Sinisa Mihic as the new head coach, the unresolved financial and leadership issues threaten to undermine any positive momentum the club might have gained. The club’s leadership is under increasing pressure to find a resolution to these issues before they spiral out of control.
Gor Mahia’s failure to respond promptly to Singida Big Stars’ demand for a refund has raised questions about the club’s financial management and its ability to handle high-profile transfer deals. It also highlights the challenges that football clubs face when dealing with international transactions, especially when significant sums of money are involved.
The financial dispute over the Ronney Onyango transfer is just one example of the broader issues Gor Mahia faces. The club has long been plagued by internal divisions, with power struggles and leadership battles hindering its progress both on and off the field. The situation is now compounded by the pressure from Singida Big Stars, who are threatening to take legal action against Gor Mahia through FIFA if the matter is not resolved.
The road ahead for Gor Mahia appears uncertain, with the club facing both external and internal challenges that need to be addressed swiftly. The financial dispute with Singida Big Stars is far from over, and the club’s leadership crisis remains unresolved. As the pressure mounts, Gor Mahia’s fans are hoping for a quick resolution to the issues, as the club’s reputation and future prospects hang in the balance.
For now, Gor Mahia is caught in the middle of a financial impasse and a leadership crisis, with no clear solution in sight. The coming weeks will be crucial for the club as it attempts to navigate these challenges and find a way forward. If the issues are not resolved soon, the club could face further scrutiny from both its fans and the wider footballing community.
