On 20 November 2018, Gor Mahia’s preparations for their CAF Champions League first-round meeting with Malawian champions Nyasa Bullets were thrown into disarray after players declined to train over unpaid October salaries.
The standoff reportedly unfolded at the club’s training ground, where the squad insisted on confirmation that the money had reached their bank accounts before resuming drills. The club’s wage bill was said to be about Ksh. 5.5 million, and staff were still waiting for payment 15 days after the fifth deadline had passed.
One player, speaking anonymously, said: “We are not going anywhere without our salaries,” while another added: “The management has been giving us empty promises since we came back from Everton.”
The team had been scheduled to travel to Nakuru County on Tuesday for a four-day preseason camp ahead of their first CAF Champions League match the following Wednesday. The disruption added pressure to a side already dealing with wider uncertainty after losing head coach Dylan Kerr, while the possible departure of key players such as Francis Kahata further deepened concerns.
According to the report, players and staff had little confidence in the club’s current management and were unhappy with how salary issues were being handled. It was also the second boycott over dues within a few weeks. Last year, during a tournament in Tanzania, players had threatened not to play unless the club released money it owed them.
