This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
On September 30, 2019, Keroche Breweries, a Naivasha-based brewery, and Gor Mahia, the record Kenyan Premier League champions, were in talks over a possible partnership deal.
The talks were at an advanced stage, according to Gor Mahia's deputy secretary general Ronald Ngala.
‘’Yes, we are in talks but so far we have not made any big progress. The talks are at an advanced stage and we shall make the outcome of the deal public once we are done,” said Ngala.
The partnership talks came after Keroche Breweries donated Sh1 million to Gor Mahia prior to their CAF Champions League match against Algeria's USM Alger, which they lost 2-0, resulting in a 6-1 aggregate defeat.
The brewery's banners were plastered all over the Kasarani Stadium during the match, indicating that a deal was in the offing.
The talks also came at a time when SportPesa, Gor Mahia's former sponsor, had closed shop in Kenya, leaving the club in dire need of financial support.
Should Keroche Breweries come on board, part of Gor Mahia's money woes would be temporarily solved, as the club has been struggling to pay player salaries and bonuses.
‘’Running a club is all about money. We need to pay salaries, hire stadia and also pay for accommodation of players in our away matches. We are hopeful the deal will be sealed and this will be a step ahead for us,” said Ngala.
