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Sakaja chides Sifuna, says he is ready to become AFC Leopards patron

By DAVID KWALIMWA September 17th, 2017 1 min read

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has taken a dig at his opponent Edwin Sifuna while also declaring he is ready to patronize AFC Leopards.

The youthful politician was responding to a plea by club’s officials during a crisis meeting involving players at a Nairobi hotel on Saturday.

The players have been on strike since Wednesday, and are  demanding to have their accrued training allowances and match winning bonuses totaling Sh1.8 million be paid in full.

Sakaja wondered why Sifuna, whom he defeated in the race for the capital’s senatorial seat in the August 8 election, had not filed a petition against him.

“My roots in Leopards are deep. Stano (Stanley Livondo) is my uncle. He has always asked me to come and help Leopards,” Sakaja said.

FILED PETITION

“Nairobians overwhelmingly elected me. My opponent (Sifuna) is going round the country saying the votes were stolen but he hasn’t even filed a petition in court against me.”

“I started out as a driver and slowly went on to become what I am. I’m only 32 years old but not by any challenge. I’m willing to take as the club patron.”

“The issues about having a second sponsor for the team, medical cover for the players in the event of injuries and sickness, plus having a training ground for the team. I promise to work on that.”

The patron position at AFC Leopards is normally ceremonial, but handed to a high ranking individual from the community, in most cases a politician who provides guidance to the club.

The slot has in the past held by the likes of Musalia Mudavadi, Cyrus Jirongo and Alfred Sambu. Sakaja also made a Sh150,000 personal contribution to the players.