Featured Image: Gor Mahia, league winners in 1974. Front Row: James Ogolla “Kadir”, Maurice Moni, John “Nduks” Omia, Ben Oballa “Yuyu”, Peter Ouma “Pele”, Philip Gaetano (Zambian), Jacob Otieno (now US based), John Chore and David Ouma (Team Manager).
Back Row: Vice-Chairman, Zack Mbori, Apollo Ndeda (City Stadium Manager), Francis Mudany “Power”, Joe “Burri” Otieno, Onuonga, Alan Thigo, Sebby Omollo, Duncan Migan, Martin Ouma “Ogwanjo Chati” (Mengisto Makwas), Sospeter Amieno, Morris Ouma “Ole Tunda”, Jack Aluko
Earlier in 1974, Kenneth Matiba had led most of the clubs in Kenya to rebel against the Kenya Football Association which was being run by Williams Ngaah and Lan Situma. Most of the clubs sided with Matiba and a new league was formed called the Kenya Football League. Despite opposition from Abaluhya FC, Western Stars and Abeingo, the Matiba group prevailed and in January 1974, the Kenya Football League was registered with the Registrar of societies. Abaluhya FC stuck to their guns and refused to participate in the league.
1974 Kenya Football League
Gor Mahia won the league in 1974. It was a massive achievement for a team that had lost 8 top players to Luo Union at the end of 1973. The players who left Gor Mahia were James Sianga, William Ouma “Chege”, John Otieno “Hatari”, Steve Yongo, Albert Oketch, Sospeter Otin, Fred Siranga and Owen Nandy. Most of them were also national team players.
Final Standings
Continental Club Competitions
Abaluhya did not play in the league only played in the Africa cup of Champions . They received a bye in the first round. In the second they played Asmara of Ethiopia. After winning the first leg 2-0, the second leg was not played and Abaluhya were awarded the match. In the quarter-finals they lost 4-1 on aggregate to Mehallah of Egypt (3-0 and 1-1)
Kenya Football Association replaces the F.A of Kenya
In February 1974, cabinet minister Masinde Muliro, whose portfolio included sports moved to end the impasse in Kenya that resulted in two rival bodies claiming to run football. He dismissed the F.A of Kenya led by Williams Ngaah and askedKenya National Sports Councli chairman Isaac Lugonzo to take over the F.A. Fresh elections were held at branch and sub branch levels.
In March 1974, Lugonzo announced a new team to lead the Kenya Football Association on an interim basis: John Kasyoka (Chairman), Manasseh Oisebe (Secretary General), Hassan Rattansi (Treasurer) and Sammy Ogembo (member).
The Formation of the Kenya Football Federation
In June 1974, a new body, the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) was formed. A new constitution was adopted. Clubs asked Matiba to run for Chairman. Which he did, defeating Williams Ngaah. The new team in charge of KFF was Matiba (Chairman), Obare Asiko (Secretary) and Peter Shiyuka (Chairman).
The KFF declared Gor Mahia as the league winners, dismissing suggestions that they should meet Abaluhya in a playoff to determine Kenya’s representatives in the 1975 Africa champions league.
