The Patron Gor Mahia needs — Eliud Owalo has earned his place

Let’s cut through the noise. The legacy of Gor Mahia FC (K’Ogalo) demands leadership—not mere symbolism. That leadership today rests squarely on Eliud Owalo, the patron the club both deserves and needs.

Gor Mahia is not just another football team. Founded in 1968 (though its origins trace further back) through the merger of Luo Union and Luo Sports Club, it stands as a cultural landmark for the Luo community and beyond.

It has won more national league titles than any other Kenyan club and even claimed continental honours.

But great history also carries great expectations, that is why the K'Ogalo faithfuls will never settle for good when there is a chance for the best.

In many clubs, the 'patron' role is ceremonial. But in Gor’s case, it has been substantive. A patron is expected to:

• Provide vision, credibility, and governance oversight;

• Mobilise resources, strengthen infrastructure and professionalise operations;

• Serve as a bridge between the club, its fans (the 'Green Army'), and the broader community.

Under the long-serving patronage of Raila Amolo Odinga (“Baba”), the club enjoyed not just financial support but also gravitas. His deep connection with the supporters and the institution lent stability and identity.

Owalo is not just the new face of patronage. He brings a modern governance mindset, commitment to professional structures, and a long-time personal loyalty to Gor Mahia.

In April 2025, Owalo was unveiled as Deputy Patron of the club. At that unveiling, he committed to integrity, transparency, and proper governance:

We cannot build a successful club without integrity and structure. These are the foundations of lasting success.

When the club lost Raila Odinga on 16 October 2025, the Executive Committee announced Owalo as Acting Patron to fill the vacuum and maintain continuity.

Shortly thereafter, Owalo was confirmed as the substantive Patron with effect from 1 November 2025.

His vision includes major infrastructural commitments — stadium land, clubhouse, players’ residences, and a professional secretariat.

It is easy to critique politics in football and the entanglement of sport and patronage. But the pragmatic reality is this: Gor Mahia needs steady leadership that can suppress distractions and focus on sustainable success.

Here are the key gains and what Owalo brings to the table:

• Stability in operations: The club has been plagued in past years by inconsistency — frequent coaching changes (17 coaches in 10 years) and off-field distractions.

• Infrastructure & professionalism: A modern club must have administrative capacity, facilities, and a pathway for youth development. Owalo’s agenda brings this into focus.

• Continuity of legacy: With Raila’s passing, the risk was a leadership vacuum. A club with Gor’s stature cannot afford instability. Owalo provides continuity and renewal.

• Community and identity reinforcement: The club’s support base demands respect for tradition. Owalo, a long-time supporter and someone who acknowledges the club’s deep roots, understands this.

Let’s be clear: Owalo is not a messianic figure. The club still faces challenges. Financial constraints, league competitiveness, fan expectations, and regional ambitions are real. But where many would simply give lip service, he has offered tangible commitments.

He has shown up. He has articulated a clear plan. The tides of change in Kenyan football demand both vision and execution. Gor Mahia cannot live off its past glories alone.

Gor Mahia needs Owalo’s support, not the other way around. He has stepped up. He has delivered promise. He has proven himself worthy of this stewardship.

It is not about political symbolism or fleeting support. It is about commitment, consistency, and capability. The club’s future demands a patron who will stay when the cameras leave, who will build when the headlines fade, who will unify when factions threaten.

For the Green Army, for football in Kenya, for the institutional integrity of this great club — this is that patron.