NAIROBI, Kenya — English Premier League club Arsenal F.C. has sent commemorative memorabilia to honour veteran Kenyan politician Raila Odinga, recognising his long-standing support for the North London club.
The parcel, which arrived in Nairobi from London, was received by Philip Etale, communications director for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Etale said the package was addressed to him as a fellow Arsenal supporter and was sent in remembrance of Odinga, popularly known among supporters as “Baba.”
In a video shared on social media platform X, Etale explained that the parcel had been dispatched several months earlier.
“This parcel I have just received today, and I think it was sent in January and could have been delayed by the post office, which may have failed to notify our office that I had a parcel sent to the postal address belonging to ODM,” Etale said.
“It is from my favourite football team, Arsenal, the Gunners. It is written ‘Arsenal remembers Raila Odinga’. It was dispatched from London to Nairobi, addressed to Philip Etale, an Arsenal fan, in remembrance of Baba Raila Odinga, a die-hard fan of Arsenal FC. It is memorabilia for Raila.”
Gift to be handed to Ida Odinga
Etale said he intends to hand over the memorabilia to Ida Odinga, Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), so that it can be preserved in memory of the veteran political leader.
“I will look for Mama Ida Odinga to give her the gift for keeps in memory of Raila. Thank you, Arsenal, for remembering Raila. Arsenal forever, Gunner forever,” he said.
Raila’s well-known love for football
Odinga’s passion for football was widely recognised both in Kenya and internationally.
A committed supporter of Arsenal, he frequently followed the club’s matches and was known to discuss their performances publicly, sometimes joking about the team’s results with the same intensity he brought to political debate.
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Beyond his support for the English club, Odinga was also closely associated with Gor Mahia F.C., one of Kenya’s most successful football clubs.
He often described himself as the club’s “number one fan” and regularly attended matches while wearing the team’s green and white colours.
Football as a tool for unity
Throughout his public life, Odinga also advocated for greater investment in sports development in Kenya.
He frequently emphasised the role of football in promoting youth empowerment, national unity and social cohesion, calling for stronger grassroots leagues, improved sports infrastructure and talent development programmes.
Supporters say his passion for the sport helped bridge political and social divides, reinforcing football’s position as one of the most influential cultural forces in Kenyan society.
