Gaspo Women: Is Edward Githua’s suspension the end of one of pioneer women’s clubs in Kenya?

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FOOTBALL Gaspo Women: Is Edward Githua’s suspension the end of one of pioneer women’s clubs in Kenya?

Joel Omotto 08:40 - 19.01.2024

FKF Women’s Premier League side Gaspo Women could be starting at imminent collapse in the wake of club chairman Edward Githua’s suspension over accusations of sexual harassment

FKF Women’s Premier League side Gaspo Women faces an uncertain future following the suspension of club chairman Edward Githua over accusations of sexual harassment.

Githua was suspended by FKF on Wednesday following multiple allegations of improper behavior between 2021 and 2023.

“Multiple underage players, a number of whom served as ball girls for Gaspo Women FC between 2021 and 2023, have accused Mr. Githua of inappropriate behavior that created a hostile and unsafe environment for them, during their period with the club,” FKF said in a statement.

“The FKF Safeguarding Department has contacted Mr. Githua regarding the allegations, with a view to have him appear before the FKF Disciplinary Committee and respond to the said allegations.”

The accusations and suspension add to the woes facing one of the oldest women’s football clubs in the country, leaving many wondering if they have any future.

Githua’s suspension comes at a time the club is starring at relegation from the Women’s Premier League as they sit bottom of the table with five points after winning one and drawing two of their 10 matches so far.

For a team that has been finishing in the top five since their second top flight promotion in 2018 and challenged for the title in the last two seasons, even enlisting the services of former Harambee Stars coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee last year, these are uncharted waters for Gaspo.

Last season, Gaspo pushed champions Vihiga Queens to the very end before missing out on the title but this time round, the wheels seem to have come off.

For a side that seemed to enjoy stability, their collapse in 2023-24 points to a problem behind the scenes and Githua’s suspension brought to the fore some of the issues that might be bedeviling the club.

There has also been an exodus of players recently, Elizabeth Khisa ditching them for Tanzanian side Bunda Queens, attacking midfielder Lydia Akoth to Kenya Police Bullets with goalkeeper Pauline Kathuruh seemingly headed to Bungoma Queens while Wadadia are eyeing Ruth Wilfred.

Githua and his club look to have been preparing for a tough season when they opted against signing specific players and called for trials ahead of this season and with their current struggles, the embattled chairmen seems to have already resigned to their fate.

"There's time to shape our season because we still have many matches to play," Githua told The Star last week, regarding their poor form this season.

"We are also resigned to playing in the Division One League. It won't be the first time we will be relegated. Relegation is not an issue. Wherever we will be playing next season, the players will always give their best."

With his suspension, added to the depleted squad, there are fears that the club might not honour their matches in the second leg of the season, added to unconfirmed reports that Githua has told all players to find new clubs in the January transfer window.

If they fail to honour three consecutive fixtures, Gaspo will be relegated, a fate that has befallen Trans Nzoia Falcons already this season, which would mark a sad end to a chapter that promised so much as far as women’s football is concerned.

Gatundu-based Gaspo were established in 2006 when they were registered as a self-help group. They started their football journey as a youth side, participating in various tournaments, the most memorable one being a 8-0 loss to a Norway-bound Mathare Youths Sports Association side.

They also participated for the first time in an international tournament (East Africa Cup) in Moshi Tanzania in the U16 and U13, the former finishing third.

Gaspo were promoted to the Women’s Premier League for the first time in 2016 but suffered relegation the same season.

However, they rose again. They finished top in the 2017 Women's Division 1 Zone A and beat Zone B leaders Trans Nzoia Falcons to earn promotion back to the top flight.

Gaspo would finish fifth in the Premier League in 2018 and followed it up with a second-place finish, which has been their place since.

Controversy has, however, been following them recently and last May, Githua threatened not honour the final game of the season since they were not set to receive a reward for their second-place finish yet they had been awarded Ksh150,000 for a similar achievement the previous campaign.

For a club that was literally managed and run by one man and depends on well wishers to survive, Githua’s suspension spells doom for Gaspo Women.

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