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AFC elections: Amahwa mulls joining chairmanship race
Former AFC Leopards Mombasa branch chairman Maurice Amahwa (centre) with other club officials during a past event at Mbaraki Sports Club in Mombasa.
What you need to know:
- Several AFC Leopards branches are said to be fronting the prominent businessman for the seat.
- However, the former Mombasa branch chairman said he hasn’t decided whether or not to contest.
Former AFC Leopards Rescue Team chairman, Maurice Amahwa is considering joining the race for the club’s chairmanship.
Amahwa has reportedly been endorsed to contest the seat by a section of staunch club members, including Ingwe Legends, during the club’s forthcoming elections slated for June 29, 2025.
The club’s top seat has so far attracted five candidates, namely Boniface Ambani, Ronald Namai, Oliver Napali, Enosh Mutokah and Olympia Musonye.
The Ingwe Legends, led by their chairman Ben Musuku, said Amahwa is the right person to steer the club back to glory.
Several Ingwe branches, locally and in the diaspora, are also said to be fronting the prominent businessman for the seat.
Amahwa contested the seat in 2016 but lost controversially to Dan Mule.
However, when contacted by the Daily Nation on Tuesday, the former Mombasa branch chairman said he hasn’t decided whether or not to contest the seat.
“I’ve received calls from members who want me to vie for the top seat, but I haven’t made a decision yet,” Amahwa said.
At the same time, former international striker Ambani has outlined transparency, accountability, quality recruitment and depoliticizing the club’s operations as the three pillars of his vision for the club.
Ambani, who played for Leopards in the 90s, expressed confidence in his ability to end the club’s 26-year league title drought.
The former Sports Director at Sindo United and Mara Sugar FC, who also coached Kangemi All Stars, and AFC Leopards Cubs (Ingwe Youth team), is running for the seat under the slogan “Our Club, Our Voice, Our Future.”
On his part, former club CEO, Namai has promised astute financial planning, performance management and proper governance if elected.
Under the slogan “Get-it-right”, Namai has also promised football excellence, financial accountability, administration astuteness and community engagement.
Meanwhile, Mutokah has outlined professional player recruitment, youth development, player welfare support, positive culture, recognition awards, community engagement as his key areas of focus.
The Secretary-General’s seat has attracted seven candidates, in what promises to be a hotly-contested affair.
Among the candidates is Issac Mulindi, who has promised sponsorships, extra revenue streams, improved player welfare, quality and affordable merchandise, empowering ladies and youth teams and fans mobilization.
Robert Situma, who unsuccessfully contested the seat in 2016, says he will change the trajectory and return Ingwe to winning trophies.
“We shall be reclaiming our lost glory in a new dawn,” said Situma.
Irene Sitawa said her priority will be to eliminate self-inflicted debts through sound financial practices.
The fourth contestant, Newton Lime ‘Mtu Kazi’ of Buru Buru branch, is focusing on financial transparency, sustainable and practical budget, debt management and leveraging on technology.
The other candidates in the race are Jesse Asutsa Tetei, Wycliffe Nyamu alias MC Nyamu Nyam Nyam and Dennis Esikuri Njeka.
Meanwhile, the treasurer’s will be contested by Patrick Kanyangi and Edward Buhasho.