This archive report was first published on 18 May 2020.
May 15, 2020 marked a century since the legendary Gor Mahia Ogada wuod Ogalo died at his revered home in Kanyamwa Ndhiwa in Homa Bay County. His legacy lives on through the club that bears his name, Gor Mahia.
Founded in 1968, Gor Mahia was named after the legendary figure by Aggrey Olango, who played for Luo Sports Club. According to legend, Ogada wuod Ogalo possessed magical powers to transform into different forms, including a woman, a dog, and back to himself.
These powers helped him pass through people and not be recognised, and he would use them to walk with or through his enemies during war. He would also transform other people so that they would escape from their enemies. His clan won many wars thanks to his abilities to see the future.
When Aggrey Olango suggested the name Gor Mahia, even the senior most persons who were in the meeting that oversaw the formation of the club could not resist. And the power of Gor Mahia lives on.
At some point, former President Daniel arap Moi ordered all sports teams with tribal names to change their names, but Gor Mahia maintained its name. Over the years, Gor Mahia has played a massive role in bringing the country together through football.
One of the club's most notable achievements was on December 5, 1987, when the Mighty K'Ogalo became the first and only East African side to win a continental title, the Africa Cup Winners Cup.
Gor Mahia has remained as dominant as the person the club was named after, winning 19 league titles since 1968, a feat unmatched by any other club.
However, the club has gone through rough patches, including the period between 2000 and 2007 when the club was nearly relegated. But the club has survived and re-emerged as the most dominant club in the country.
As an honour to great Gor Mahia wuod Ogalo, we must find a way to stabilise this club financially so that our children and great grandchildren will feel proud to be associated with this great club named after the magician from Kanyamwa.
One hundred years on after his death, the spirit of Gor lives on. Long live the 'Mighty Gor Mahia.'
