Owalo reveals millions spent on Gor Mahia amid court case challenging his patron position
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 29.06.26. | 20:36
Owalo, through his lawyers, has asked the tribunal to dismiss the application with costs, maintaining that his appointment was lawful and in line with Gor Mahia's constitution
Gor Mahia patron Eliud Owalo has told the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) that he has personally injected more than Ksh80 million into the record FKF Premier League champions over the past two decades and secured a further Ksh30 million sponsorship.
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The revelations are contained in written submissions dated Thursday, 25 June 2026, filed before the SDT by TripleOKLaw Advocates LLP on behalf of Owalo in Sports Disputes Tribunal Case No. SDTS E024 of 2026, where club member Samuel Ochola is challenging his appointment as Gor Mahia patron.
According to the court documents seen by Mozzart Sport, Owalo argues that removing him from office at this stage would not only disrupt the club's operations but also jeopardise ongoing sponsorship negotiations as Gor prepares for the CAF Champions League.
The submissions state that, besides spending Ksh23 million to motivate players, he has personally provided financial support exceeding Ksh50 million to the club over the past two decades.
They further reveal that since assuming office as patron, he has helped Gor secure a Ksh30 million sponsorship from Plascon Paints and is currently spearheading negotiations with about 10 corporate entities in pursuit of additional commercial partnerships.
"Equally, as the club prepares for the CAF Champions League, he is currently leading negotiations with about ten corporate entities to secure additional financial sponsorship for the club, and any interference with his position as patron of the club at the moment will be detrimental to the club," the submissions state.
Owalo, through his lawyers, has asked the tribunal to dismiss the application with costs, maintaining that his appointment was lawful and in line with Gor Mahia's constitution.
The submissions state that he served as the club's substantive deputy patron before assuming the role of acting patron following the death of former patron Raila Odinga on Wednesday, 16 October, 2025.
According to the filings, the club's executive committee subsequently confirmed him as the substantive patron on Saturday, 1 November, 2025, in accordance with Articles 11 and 12(7) of Gor Mahia's 2019 constitution.
His legal team further argues that the club could not effectively function without an active patron, describing the office as instrumental in mobilising financial resources and supporting the executive committee in advancing the club's interests.
The submissions also claim Owalo's appointment came at a critical moment when Gor Mahia were struggling both on and off the pitch.
The documents state that the record champions had endured an inconsistent start to the 2025/26 campaign, including an early defeat to Bidco United, and were lying eighth in the FKF Premier League standings by mid-September.
According to the filings, the appointment of Owalo injected fresh confidence into the club by strengthening player welfare, improving morale, and helping mobilise financial resources that enabled the team to recover.
Within three months of his appointment, the submissions claim, Gor Mahia had climbed from eighth place to the top of the league standings by February 2026 before eventually reclaiming the FKF Premier League title.
"His intervention has helped the club, which was languishing in eighth position in September, to become league leaders by February 2026," the submissions read.
The legal documents further argue that Owalo's appointment was based on merit and his long-standing contribution to the club, noting that he had consistently supported Gor Mahia financially long before being elevated to the patron's office.
The case, filed by Ochola against Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, Sally Bolo, secretary general Nick Arum, and Gerphas Okuku, with Owalo listed as the interested party, is pending before the Sports Disputes Tribunal.
The tribunal will determine whether Owalo's appointment as Gor Mahia patron complied with the club's constitution.
