Leopards woes continue as officials fight at fundraiser

Deputy President William (right) chats with Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka (left) AFC Leopards patron Cyrus Jirongo (2nd left) Vihiga County Governor Moses Akaranga and Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa (second right) during a fundraiser in aid of AFC Leopards held at KICC on October 1, 2015. PHOTO | DPPS |

What you need to know:

  • The hassling for the funds started moments after Deputy President William Ruto, who was the chief guest, left the venue - Kenyatta International Conference Centre.
  • Leopards captain Jackson Saleh confirmed that the players’ arrears were yet to be cleared by close of business. Leopards owes its players and other debtors some Sh7 million.

An AFC Leopards fundraiser turned chaotic on Thursday night after two warring factions fought over the Sh4.5 million realised.

The hassling for the funds started moments after Deputy President William Ruto, who was the chief guest, left the venue - Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

Immediately after, the rival groups affiliated to Matthews Opwora and Dan Mule attempted to take control of the cash, which was stuffed in two buckets.

Opwora is reportedly recognised by the Government whilst Mule inherited the reigns when the club’s elected officials led by former chairman Allan Kasavuli resigned earlier this year.

The two factions were soon joined by the club’s coach Zdravko Logarusic, who insisted the players and coaching staff - who were present - be paid their outstanding salary arrears stretching back to July.

“As you can see we cannot trust any of these officials to pay us tomorrow (Friday) morning, and I see no reason why we should wait until then anyway,” Logarusic told Saturday Nation Sport.

The stalemate was temporarily solved at around 10pm, when Mule and Opwora agreed to deposit the funds with a security firm overnight, with Peter Lichungu and Okiya Dindi registered as the signatories. But in the morning, the saga continued.

“Opwora has switched off his phone and yet we were to meet this morning (Friday) to determine the way forward,” Mule told Saturday Nation Sport on phone.

Leopards captain Jackson Saleh confirmed that the players’ arrears were yet to be cleared by close of business. Leopards owes its players and other debtors some Sh7 million.