Beyond politics: Odinga's lasting legacy in kenyan football

The Kenyan sports fraternity has joined the entire country and world at large in mourning the demise of the former prime minister, Right Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, who met his untimely death on Wednesday, 15 October.

Raila met his death in Koothattukulam, India, while receiving treatment.

Not only was he known in Kenya’s political landscape, but he also had an unforgettable impact in Kenya’s football. This passion drove him to support the sport as it helped him develop a philosophical attitude in the world of politics.

The late Raila, alongside President Ruto, FKF President
 Other dignitaries pose for a team photo before a football match
Photo| Courtesy 

For a couple of years, Raila was a familiar face in stadium stands, constantly showing up for matchdays to cheer up league matches across the country, and even abroad.

In the recently concluded CHAN 2024 matches, Raila was a familiar figure to the fans, players, and beyond as he frequented the group matches and even in Harambee Stars’ first-ever appearance in a quarter-final match at the continental stage.

Prior to his passing, the ODM chief supported his beloved Gor Mahia, where until his death, he served as the club patron for a long time.

Inset: From left,
President William Ruto, Raila Odinga (Late),
 and FKF President Hussein Mohammed
Photo| Courtesy 

Weeks before his demise, Raila had promised a sum of KSh. 10 million support to Gor Mahia’s 2026/2025 season operations. We also saw him rewarding the team Ksh. 1 million after qualifying for the CAF Champions League last year.

The record Kenyan football champions have mourned him as a guiding light, terming the demise of their patron a loss.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our beloved patron, the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga,” read a part of the club statement. 

He was a guiding light and a tremendous support to our club. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. May he rest in perfect peace.

Raila’s support to the game didn’t just end with the Green Army; he extended the love to the national team, the Harambee stars. And he was not just an ordinary fan.

On some occasions, he also provided incentive support to the players as he promised Harambee stars players Ksh 500,000 each after defeating Zambia in the CHAN 2024 tournament, a sign of support to local talents.

Notably, his love for the game was not out of the blues. 

In his youthful days, he played for Luo Union FC and later joined Bunge FC as a member of parliament of Lang’ata constituency.

Even as he rests, his influence will be remembered through the vibrant cheers at the 20,000–seater Raila Odinga stadium in Homa Bay County, which was completed in May 2025.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed mourned his death as one of the local football supporters.

“Having had the privilege to work under him, I can say he was not only a great leader and visionary, but also a good boss and a personal friend,” said FKF’s Hussein, adding, “Kenya has lost a true statesman and local football, one of its strongest supporters,”

Beyond the local scene, Raila’s football love extended to the English Premier League, where he was an ardent fan of the London-based Arsenal FC, stretching from Arsène Wenger’s era, where we also saw him attending matches at the Emirates Stadium.