Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto has effected a major leadership shake-up at Bandari FC, appointing Said Mata as the new chairman of the club’s Board of Trustees with immediate effect.
Mata, who serves as the authority’s Manager for Accounting, replaces Taufiq Balala in a move aimed at stabilizing the club’s governance structure following months of uncertainty. The trustees’ board had remained vacant since December after its dissolution, with former members facing criticism over the team’s inconsistent performances.
Bandari FC Chief Executive Officer Tony Kibwana confirmed the appointments during a radio interview in Mombasa, outlining a revamped leadership lineup expected to steer the club forward.
Jones Buchere, the authority’s Manager for Corporate Communication, has been named vice chairman, while Peter Thuku assumes the role of treasurer. Experienced administrator Musa Hassan Musa returns as a trustee, alongside reappointed member Gunda Kaneno.
New faces on the board include John Martin, Clepatra Taabu, and Matreda Mwakredi, completing a team tasked with restoring confidence and competitiveness at the coastal side.
The restructuring follows the short-lived tenure of the club’s internal standing committee, which lasted less than six months before being disbanded, underscoring the urgency for stable leadership.
On the pitch, Bandari FC will be keen to translate the boardroom changes into results when they host Mara Sugar in a weekend fixture at the Mombasa Sports Club. The dockers currently sit ninth on the table with 32 points from 23 matches, while Mara Sugar trail in 11th place with 28 points after 22 outings.
Meanwhile, Kibwana revealed that the team will temporarily relocate their home matches due to planned renovations at the KPA Mbaraki Sports Club grounds. The upgrade works will render the facility unavailable, forcing Bandari to seek alternative venues within Mombasa County.
“All football fixtures involving Bandari will be played elsewhere within Mombasa during the renovation period,” Kibwana confirmed.
The administrative overhaul now sets the st
