New Hope for AFC Leopards as Boniface Ambani Begins Tenure as Chairperson

 

By Levin Kiprop

 A new chapter has begun for AFC Leopards after former Kenyan international Boniface Ngaira Ambani was overwhelmingly elected as the club’s new Chairperson in a tightly contested election held over the weekend.

Ambani clinched victory with 1,101 votes, defeating his closest rival Enos Mutoka, who garnered 682 votes. He now takes over from outgoing Chairman Dan Shikanda, whose two-term tenure was marked by both significant strides and persistent challenges.

In his victory speech, Ambani expressed gratitude to his supporters and wasted no time outlining his priorities.

“The work starts immediately. The first thing I will do is look into player contracts—who is staying, who might leave—as we prepare for the new season,” Ambani said.

Running on a reform-driven 11-point manifesto dubbed “The Starting XI”, Ambani’s campaign focused on accountability, financial transparency, improved club infrastructure, youth development, and stronger fan engagement. His message of restoring pride and professionalism to the club resonated deeply with members and fans alike.

“I had a wonderful team behind me and we will, for sure, bring back the pride of Ingwe,” he added, referring to the club’s nickname.

Ambani, a former AFC Leopards striker and respected football pundit, inherits a club with a storied history but a recent run of mixed results and off-field struggles. AFC Leopards, one of Kenya’s most decorated and oldest football clubs, has not won the league title in over two decades.

Outgoing chairman Dan Shikanda leaves behind a mixed legacy. While his tenure brought some stability and efforts toward commercial growth, the club also faced management wrangles and inconsistency on the pitch. His departure signals a new direction and renewed expectations.

Among the first to endorse Ambani’s leadership was Westlands MP and club patron Tim Wanyonyi, who urged fans and stakeholders to unite behind the new team.

“This is a fresh start for AFC Leopards. Let’s give the new leadership the support they need,” said Wanyonyi.

As Ambani settles into his new role, fans across the country are cautiously optimistic that his football background, reform agenda, and deep ties to the club will be the spark needed to lift AFC Leopards back to its former glory.