Gor Mahia Chairperson Ambrose Rachier has enviable reputation in legal practice and sports management.
Rachier, a confessed member of the Freemason society in Kenya, has been at the helm of Gor Mahia football club for 14 years, which have not been that rosy. He is credited for transforming Kogallo as they are popularly known, to become an all-time champion in Kenya and a force to reckon in the region.
Dr Rachier who willingly joined Freemasonry in 1994 after being introduced by a close friend schooled with Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni and former Tanzania counterpart Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete at the University of Dar-es-Salaam for his undergraduate law degree.
"Whenever we were free, we would go to a nightclub in Ubungo. We had much fun and no one cared whether you attended class or not. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had completed two years ahead of me, but we lived in the same house, while Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete was a year behind," he stated in a past interview.
School and Impact in Kenya
Other than leading Gor Mahia, Rachier is also an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, having served for over 40 years, amassing skills and experience in conveyancing, commercial and corporate law.
In conveyancing, Rachier played a key role in the revision of land laws to align with the 2010 Constitution. In corporate law, he crafted policies and insurance regulations in the country.
He spearheaded and championed the evolution of a legal regime and system geared toward the protection of the rights of people living with AIDS, and chaired the task force on HIV/AIDS, credited with the creation of a draft bill on HIV/AIDS.
Before he was appointed to lead research in HIV/AIDS, he had suggested that people with the disease be rounded up, incarcerated and the keys thrown into the abyss. He, however, later retracted his sentiments.
His Law Firm
Rachier is the founder and senior partner of Rachier and Amollo Advocates. He owns the law firm with Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo.
According to Amollo, the law firm is not an entity in the secret society.
"Have seen an interview by my law firm partner Ambrose Rachier on Freemasonry! I am not and will never join Freemasonry! Let It be known that the law firm of Rachier & Amollo LLP is not associated with the movement," the vocal legislator noted.
His Controversial birth
Rachier's birth was filled with drama. On December 1, 1949, his mother, Lydia Aoko, boarded a train from Kisumu to join his father, Hezron Rachier. On approaching Molo, his mother went into Labour and Rachier was born on a moving train.
The second born in a family of 12, Rachier grew up in Gem, Siaya County and his lifestyle was shaped by his experiences as a young boy.
Discipline saw him transition to join local Sinaga Primary School and later Ramba boarding school in Rarieda. He wanted to join Alliance High school but was admitted to the secondary school division of Kenyatta College in 1965.
His desire to study at Alliance would materialise in 1969 when he matriculated there for his ‘A’ Levels. It was also at Alliance that Rachier, together with Siaya Governor James Orengo, studied French.
His achievements
Rachier, who was admitted to the bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya in July 1975, is credited for various successes in the country.
In 2002, he was called upon to draft the infamous power-sharing MoU between the leading lights in the Narc Party. Former President Mwai Kibaki, late Michael Kijana Wamalwa, Charity Ngilu, Kipruto Arap Kirwa, Kalonzo Musyoka, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former Vice President Moody Awori and the late George Saitoti signed the deal that ended Kanu's 24 years reign.
Away from law, Rachier pioneered many reforms in the fight against HIV/ AIDS culminating in the passing of the HIV/ AIDS Prevention and Control Act. His appointment as chair of the aforementioned tribunal was geared toward helping promote laws and policies that advance human rights and fundamental freedoms for persons living with HIV and Aids.
The Gor Mahia boss has, however, managed to keep his social life a secret. He noted that he did not join Freemasonry to gain wealth and prestige.
"We join freemasonry to propagate charity. There are a few wealthy people in freemasonry, and there are those people who live ordinary lives like me. I am not a wealthy person, and I am not a powerful person," he stated.
He further dispelled reports that Freemasonry, which has different temples in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, offers human sacrifices in exchange for wealth.
"I want to thank God for this. All my children are alive. I have lost no sibling or child, and they are known. So there is not even the slightest link to any kind of human sacrifice. This is a myth, and it does not happen anywhere that I know myself, and it does not happen in East Africa," he insisted.
