Leadership clash escalates at Bunyore Starlets FC over election timing

A fresh leadership brawl has emerged within Bunyore Starlets after the club's CEO Zachariah Amakhang’a, who has largely been absent this season, recently notified members about the elections for the club’s officials.

The move has created resistance from other officials who disagreed on the timing of the elections at the Kenya Women's Premier League side.

Amakhang’a urged eligible members willing to take on responsibilities at the Mumboha-based club to submit their nomination papers to him by Saturday, June 6.

In a letter circulated online, Amakhang’a announced fourteen vacancies at the club, including the chairman position currently held by Moses Mabwa.

When reached for clarification, Amakhang’a said he had been waiting for the season to end before "streamlining things in the team," noting that a lot had happened due to single-handed leadership.

“Moses Mabwa has been making crucial decisions in the club alone, and the time has come for a more inclusive leadership that will steer the club to better heights next season,” Amakhang’a stated.

“There is no reason to chest thump in the name of the team; the fans are the ones who cater to the needs of this club, not an individual.” He added that during the elections, they would also appoint a board of directors to develop proper policies for Bunyore Starlets’ governance.

Moses Mabwa has dismissed Amakhang’a's directives as attempts to seek sympathy after he was suspended from the club last year over gross misconduct.

“Amakhang’a has no powers to transact any business at Bunyore Starlets pending a FIFA verdict on allegations that led to his suspension as CEO. He has been away all along; does he know who has been footing the team’s bills or debts owed?” Mabwa posed.

Mabwa advised that Amakhang’a's communiqué be dismissed, citing the club’s constitution, which states that elections are to be held every five years.

According to Mabwa, the next elections are scheduled for December this year. Still, he might call for elections before the next season to address management issues in line with the constitution.

This is the second public disagreement between the two Bunyore Starlets leaders following the sexual misconduct allegations that led to Amakhang’a’s suspension last year.

However, Amakhang’a maintains that he allowed the season to end peacefully before taking steps to streamline the team, declaring, “Enough is enough!”