Gor Mahia captain Jerry Onyango with CORD leader Raila odinga with the celebrating their win, lifting the Kenya Premier league trophy [Collins Oduor, Standard]
Raila Odinga: Remembering a patron of Kenyan football and true Arsenal believer
Football
By
Robert Abong'o
| Oct 15, 2025
When news broke today that Raila Odinga had died in India, Kenya went into mourning.
Among the many corners of grief is the sports fraternity, particularly football, which has lost one of its most reliable backers, a man who wore his passion for the game as openly as his political convictions.
Odinga’s connection to K’Ogalo was not accidental or symbolic. He was their patron, stalwart and supporter. Over the years, he regularly attended matches, met club officials, and on more than one occasion pledged financial backing. Most recently, in early October 2025, he donated KSh 10 million to support the club’s administrative work for the 2025/26 season. Odinga even hosted Gor Mahia executives at his residence in Karen to review their plans for the upcoming season.
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Gor Mahia released statements mourning his passing, describing him as a “guiding light” for the club.
Supporting Harambee Stars and grassroots football
Beyond club football, Odinga was known to cherish the Harambee Stars. While most coverage highlights his club-level support, his moral encouragement of national side players, and his presence at key fixtures underscored his belief in football’s nation-building power.
Recently, he pledged to award the Harambee Stars CHAN squad with Sh500,000 each once they reached the tournament quarterfinals.
Many recall how Odinga attended CHAN and other national tournament matches, and how in Kenya’s rugby circles he was also seen at events such as Rugby 7s tournaments. His readiness to support sporting events, even outside his political sphere, painted him as someone who saw sport as too important to leave to managers or administrators alone.
Arsenal passion
Raila Odinga was not just a local football patron; he was a passionate Arsenal fan. His sporting taste extended beyond Kenya’s pitches to the English Premier League, where he openly declared his loyalty to the Gunners.
Raila and his delegation at the Emirates Stadium in London when Arsenal welcomed Liverpool in March 2022. [Courtesy]
Originally a Manchester United fan, he later shifted to Liverpool, and ultimately settled on Arsenal after the era of Arsène Wenger’s rise and reputation for giving African players opportunities.
That shift resonated with many Kenyan fans, as Arsenal has deep support across the country.
In interviews and videos, Odinga would speak of watching matches, making predictions, and drawing political analogies from football. His love for Arsenal became part of his public persona, connecting him to football communities both at home and abroad. He has even attended matches at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Odinga’s death leaves a void not just in politics but in the sporting fabric of Kenya. His contributions were often quietly powerful, in the form of financial injections, moral support, public appearances, and symbolic gestures. For many clubs and players, having a statesman who knew the names, met the challenges, and cared about logistics was more than symbolic — it was practical.
Rest In Peace Agwambo, Rest In Peace Baba!
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