In a cunning plot to win over the populous Luhya vote ahead of the 2022 succession, Deputy President William Ruto is scheming, through proxies, to take over the management of AFC Leopards Soccer Club, historically associated with the Western Kenya region.
Aware that Ruto’s men want to take charge for political gains, COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli is said to be concerned. Atwoli recently financed the club.
knowledgeable sources say the DP, like many other politicians, is leaving nothing to chance in his quest for the 2022 elections, this time round targeting the embattled club’s support base to vote his way come to the June 23 elections as a measure towards of political patronage.
Reports indicate that together with a host politicians gravitating around him, Ruto has set his eyes on the polls that are largely expected to usher in a brand new band of football administrators.
Sources indicate that DP has enlisted the services of a former Nairobi City County official to sway the vote his way.
Igaidi
Vincent Shimoli, then in charge of the influential liquor and licensing department, is said to be under the direct command of Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka, a close ally of the DP who recently donated Sh800,000 to the club.
Much as Lusaka could easily manage to raise the Sh800,000 motivation, it is widely believed Ruto was the real force behind the donation. Still, Lusaka hopes to make the cut for Ruto’s 2022 running mate.
Shimoli recently shepherded his allies to meet Ruto at his Karen residence to plot for the AFC takeover.
Lusaka has also held meetings with Dan Shikanda, a former AFC player and now the front runner for chairmanship seat. Shikanda since chairman Dan Mule deserted the club has been in control.
Worth noting is that the positions on offer have been narrowed down to three – chairman, secretary general and treasurer. The provisional eligible voters stand at 979 as compared to total registered members numbering 1,404.