Uhuru, Raila mourn ex-Leopards chairman

Gor Mahia patron and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has mourned former AFC Leopards chairman Alex Ole Magelo who passed on after a short illness at a hospital in Nairobi on Friday evening.

Magelo, who was in charge of Ingwe on two separate stints died on Friday evening and Kenyans of all walks have taken to social media to mourn him.

Odinga described Magelo as a football enthusiast and official. He added that he had lost a steadfast and reliable friend.

“In Alex Ole Magelo, the Maa have lost a strong and fearless leader who stood up for them without apologies. I have lost a steadfast and reliable friend. Kenya has lost a patriot, a great football enthusiast, and official. May God comfort Magelo’s family and the Maa nation,” Odinga tweeted on Saturday morning.

Magelo served as Leopards chairman between 2007 and 2009 before he was replaced. He then returned to the club in 2011 and exited quietly in 2013. He is regarded as one of Leopards’ best ever chairmen.

On his part President Uhuru Kenyatta lauded him for mentoring the youth through football and for the good work he did while in charge of Ingwe.

“I have known the late Ole Magelo for a long time and from my interactions with him, I came to appreciate his commitment and desire to make life better for others.

“He was a gentleman and a sports enthusiast who mentored very many youth people through football to become great men and women in our country. Many remember Ole Magelo for the good work he did as Chairman of Kenyan football giants AFC Leopards,” the head of state said.