Fresh from securing a record-extending 22nd league title, Gor Mahia received more than just a financial reward from Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi who invited the team at the treasury. While the Ksh. 3.2 million donation grabbed headlines, it was a promise made deep into the celebrations that could ultimately prove far more significant for the club’s future, the pursuit of a permanent training ground.

The newly crowned Sportpesa League champions paid a courtesy visit to the Treasury CS, led by chairman Ambrose Rachier, with members of the Executive Committee, technical bench, and players in attendance.

Missing from the delegation were student-player Brighton Onyona, while Jackson Dwang’, Frank Odhiambo, Sylvester Owino and Ben Stanley Omondi were unavailable due to international duty.

Dressed in a Gor Mahia jersey emblazoned with “Nyang’ 2032” on the back, a subtle political statement widely interpreted as signalling future ambitions, Mbadi welcomed the champions and reflected on his lifelong connection with Kenya’s most successful football club.

The Treasury CS took time to correct a common misconception surrounding the club’s famous nickname, K’Ogalo.

He explained that Gor Mahia was not the son of Ogalo as often portrayed, but rather the son of Ogada, with Ogada himself being the son of Ogalo. In essence, Gor was the grandson of Ogalo.

That lineage, Mbadi noted, makes his support for the club deeply personal.”I belong to that lineage on my Mum’s side.

I am a Gor Mahia fan by birth,” he told the gathering.

The CS then painted a nostalgic picture of Luo Nyanza during his youth, recalling what he described as three untouchable institutions.

“There used to be three key pillars among the Luo community that you could not take lightly.

In politics, there was Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, who later became Raila Odinga’s reference point in that lineage. In music, we had D.O. Misiani. And in football, there was Gor Mahia.

At times when the community was down politically, economically, and in many other ways , these were the pillars that kept people going. That is why people often say Luos are a proud community. It is not arrogance; it is expression. It is identity.

After all the pressures of life and politics, people would find solace in music. When Owino Misiani played, he reminded us of history and projected hope into the future. He kept alive the belief that one day things would change.

In the same way, Gor Mahia rallied the entire community and became a symbol of unity, pride, and resilience.”

Mbadi’s admiration for the club’s dominance was equally evident as he celebrated the significance of a 22nd league crown.

“We have 22 titles. We can stop winning for a decade and it will still be a tall order for any team to catch us. We are the best in the country and that is no mean feat,” he said.

While the donation package was warmly received, the most important conversation of the afternoon revolved around infrastructure.

For years, Gor Mahia’s biggest weakness off the pitch has not been a lack of finances, sponsorship, or fan support. The real challenge has been the absence of proper structures and long-term investments behind the scenes.A club of Gor Mahia’s stature should not be spending every week hiring training venues and gym facilities. Owning a training ground and a fully equipped gym would significantly reduce operational costs, provide stability for the technical bench and players, and create an environment geared towards sustained success.

That is why the prospect of Gor Mahia finally acquiring its own training ground is arguably bigger than any player signing or short-term financial boost. It is the kind of investment that lays the foundation for youth development, professional player welfare, and long-term competitiveness both locally and on the continent.

Chairman Ambrose Rachier openly acknowledged the challenge.”One of our challenges is a training ground. We are making some negotiations and we might need your support,” Rachier told the CS.

The chairman explained that the club currently relies heavily on the M-Pesa Foundation Sports Facility near Thika, a considerable distance from Nairobi, while competition for available training venues within the city remains intense.

Despite being Kenya’s most decorated football club, Gor Mahia still operates without a dedicated training base , a reality that continues to place the club at a disadvantage compared to professionally run sides across the continent.

Recognizing the importance of the issue, Mbadi immediately offered support.

“Provide me with details on the training ground for us to see how we can chip in,” he responded.

The significance of that commitment cannot be overstated.

For a club aspiring to compete consistently in CAF inter-club competitions, owning or securing a permanent training facility would represent one of the biggest developments in its modern history.

Beyond providing a reliable training environment, a dedicated facility would offer space for youth development, sports science, rehabilitation, administrative offices, and potentially future revenue-generating projects. It would also reduce dependence on hired venues and provide stability for generations to come.

In many successful football institutions around the world, the training ground serves as the heartbeat of the club. For Gor Mahia, securing one would be a transformative step toward matching its rich history with modern infrastructure.

Mbadi also pledged support in strengthening the playing squad ahead of continental assignments.

“We can also look at how to strengthen the team for continental football,” he said

Rachier echoed the need for resource mobilization to improve the squad ahead of CAF competition while thanking sponsors SportPesa, Azam Media and Plascon for their contribution to the club’s successful campaign.

The chairman further requested Mbadi’s assistance in facilitating a courtesy visit to President William Ruto.

The Treasury CS agreed to initiate the necessary arrangements once the Head of State returns from his official visit to South Africa.

As celebrations continued, Mbadi capped the occasion with a personal donation of Ksh. 3.2 million.

The package was distributed as follows:-

Ksh 1 million to club management

Ksh. 2 million to players

Ksh. 200,000 to fans

The financial reward was a fitting recognition of another championship-winning season.

Yet when the dust settles on the celebrations, Gor Mahia’s supporters may remember this meeting less for the money and more for the possibility it opened.

For a club that has conquered Kenyan football for decades, the journey towards owning a permanent training ground could be the next great victory , one capable of shaping the future of K’Ogalo long after the memories of title number 22 have faded.