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Is Oloo being groomed to be Premier League boss?

Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 00:00 | By
Ulinzi chairman Colonel Eric Oloo during a past league match at Machakos Stadium. Photo/PD/DAVID NDOLO

Speculation is rife that Ulinzi chairman, Colonel Eric Oloo, is poised to take over from long-serving Kenyan Premier League (KPL) chairman Ambrose Rachier.

The hint emerged after Oloo was appointed to chair a five-man committee to oversee a smooth transition of KPL to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League in Nairobi last Wednesday.

Oloo’s star in the military continued to shine when he was promoted recently to the rank of Colonel.

He took over the chairman ship of Ulinzi Stars from Col Juma Mwinyikai who relinquished his position to pursue further studies.

The rank of Colonel is the fifth highest in the military pecking order and Oloo will now be a commanding officer with several platoons under him.

According to sources, it is Oloo’s high placing that precipitated his nomination as the chairman of the committee that also includes KPL clubs chairmen Dan Shikanda (AFC Leopards), Robert Maoga (Kariobangi Sharks), Ken Ochieng’ (Zoo Kericho) and Daniel Aduda (Tusker). 

The committee was formulated a during video-link meeting between KPL clubs and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa.

Its mandate is to discuss the finer details of the recently unveiled Sh 1.2 billion BetKing sponsorship deal that FKF struck with a Nigeria-based gaming company.

The transition arose after FKF announced the deal early this week courtesy of a Nigerian  gaming firm in a deal that will see each club in the top-tier league pocket Sh 8 million per month.

Sources further hinted that the new league boss will be elected among KPL clubs and will have the mandate to run the organisation for four years with an elected National Executive Committee (NEC) members.

In the meantime, Rachier is said to be concentrating on retaining the club’s chairman’s seat in the forthcoming Gor Mahia FC elections penciled for August 8.

Rachier who has served in the plum position for the last 16 years, is set to retain the seat unopposed as no official has shown interest to challenge him.

Gor will use an online electoral online voting system due to the government decision to outlaw public gatherings due the COVID-19 pandemic.

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