The Sports Disputes Tribunal has nullified the appointment of former ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo as Gor Mahia patron, bringing to an end his nine-month tenure after finding that his confirmation was unconstitutional, and in breach of the club's constitution.In a landmark judgment delivered on Wednesday, 5 August by Tribunal Chairperson Peris Mukoko, the court held that Gor Mahia's Executive Committee lacked the constitutional mandate to appoint or confirm a club patron, declaring the decision null and void from the outset.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe petition was filed by former Gor Mahia Secretary General Samuel Ocholla, who challenged the legality of Owalo's appointment, arguing that it contravened Article 5.4 of the club's 2019 Constitution.Ocholla maintained that only a duly constituted Board of Trustees has the authority to appoint the club's patron.Owalo reveals millions spent on Gor Mahia amid court case challenging his patron positionOwalo had initially assumed the role in October 2025, following the death of long-serving patron Raila Odinga, before being officially confirmed on 1 November 2025.In its ruling, the Tribunal agreed with the claimant, stating that the Executive Committee acted beyond its constitutional powers.##NAJAVA_MECA_9881552##"The confirmation of Hon. Eliud Owalo as Patron of Gor Mahia Football Club was ultra vires and undertaken by an organ lacking the constitutional mandate to do so. The said confirmation is hereby declared null and void ab initio and of no legal effect whatsoever."The Tribunal also ordered that: "The Interested Party shall not hold or exercise the office of Patron unless and until lawfully appointed in accordance with the Club's Constitution."Gor Mahia secures new Ksh7.5 million sponsorshipBeyond nullifying the appointment, the Tribunal directed Gor Mahia's Executive Committee to convene an Annual General Meeting (AGM) within 60 days to facilitate the constitution of the club's long-awaited Board of Trustees.The judgment noted that since the adoption of the 2019 Constitution, Gor Mahia has never constituted the Board of Trustees despite it being the body exclusively mandated to appoint the club's patron.The Tribunal rejected arguments by both the Executive Committee and Owalo that the appointment was justified under the doctrine of necessity because the Board of Trustees had never been formed.Migori Youth's promotion specialist on growing side hustle from Ksh30K to Ksh300K [PHOTOS]It held that constitutional requirements could not be ignored merely because the club had failed to establish one of its key governance organs.The court also dismissed preliminary objections that the suit was premature for failure to exhaust internal dispute resolution mechanisms, finding that the internal processes cited by the respondents were incapable of determining the legality of the appointment.While the Tribunal found the appointment unlawful, the ruling does not diminish the significant contribution Owalo made during his time in office.##NAJAVA_MECA_9880097##Under his leadership, Gor Mahia attracted sponsorships and financial support worth more than Ksh37 million, helping stabilize the club financially ahead of domestic and continental assignments.Among the notable deals secured during his tenure was a Ksh30 million sponsorship agreement with Kansai Plascon, a Ksh7.5 million partnership with Spiro, the ONEflow Sports logistics partnership, as well as the acquisition of a 62-seater team bus valued at Ksh23 million through the Owalo Foundation.Millions Gor Mahia stand to bank by winning CECAFA Kagame Cup after 41 yearsThe Tribunal acknowledged submissions highlighting Owalo's role in strengthening the club's commercial position, but emphasized that constitutional compliance cannot be sacrificed in the name of practical convenience or financial success.The ruling now compels Gor Mahia to regularize its governance structures by constituting the Board of Trustees before any fresh appointment of a patron can be undertaken.Until then, the position remains vacant, leaving the record Kenyan champions with the task of aligning their leadership framework with the provisions of their own constitution.