Arsenal Mourns Raila Odinga
Arsenal extended its sympathies to the people of Kenya and Odinga’s family
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
English Premier League side Arsenal Football Club (FC) has joined millions around the world in mourning the death of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, describing him as a “visionary leader and passionate supporter of progress and unity.”
In an official condolence message dated Wednesday, October 15, Arsenal extended its sympathies to the people of Kenya and Odinga’s family, lauding his “lifelong dedication to democracy and justice” as an enduring inspiration.
"Arsenal Football Club extends its deepest condolences to the people of Kenya and to the family and friends of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga," the message seen by Viral Tea read in part, which we could not independently verify.
"We join millions across Africa and around the world in mourning the loss of a visionary leader, statesman, and passionate supporter of progress and unity. His lifelong dedication to democracy and justice will forever remain an inspiration to generations."
The late Raila Odinga (centre) with Raila Odinga Junior (left) and Winnie Odinga (right) at the Emirates Stadium on March 13, 2022 during Arsenal vs Liverpool. /FILE
The club said its thoughts and prayers were with his family and the Kenyan nation, adding, “May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
The tribute has sparked an emotional wave online, with Kenyan Arsenal fans praising the club for honoring one of the country’s most iconic leaders.
The late Raila was a staunch Arsenal fan and had attended the Gunners' home games at the Emirates Stadium in North London, United Kingdom (UK), on several occasions. However, his last visit, per his social media posts, was in March 2022 against Liverpool, which won 2-0.
In earlier interviews, Raila shared that he was originally a Manchester United fan in the 1970s, but eventually drifted away from the club after incidents of fan violence led to games being played without spectators.
“Manchester United played in an empty stadium for one year, and that’s when I migrated briefly to Liverpool and eventually found my way to Arsenal,” he recalled.
“I am an Arsène Wenger Arsenalian, and we are the only club to have produced the Invincibles,” he proudly declared in one interview.
Even while abroad for medical treatment in Dubai, Raila made time to watch Arsenal play, once being spotted at a West Ham fixture. He could effortlessly name players, relive classic matches, and defend the club’s philosophy with passion.
Football also became part of his political language—Raila frequently drew parallels between politics and football, framing defeats as match losses and triumphs as championship wins. “Politics is like football. You can dominate possession and still lose. But you live to play another match. You don’t always have to score. Sometimes, you just need to control the midfield," he once said.
Raila, also an ardent Gor Mahia fan and its patron, often framed politics through the lens of football, describing political alliances as “formations.” He famously likened his 2018 handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta to a “change in tactics”—a strategic move to stabilize the nation, just as a coach might shift “from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 to protect a lead.”
Using football as his language, Raila struck a chord with Kenya’s youth, weaving in references to Arsenal’s “Invincibles” and Gor Mahia’s continental triumphs to make politics feel relatable and grounded in shared culture.
At one campaign rally, he joked, “If Arsenal fans can survive 19 years without a trophy, surely Kenyans can survive five years of bad leadership—but let’s not make it 10!”
Following the 2007–08 post-election violence, Raila championed football tournaments in informal settlements as tools for peacebuilding. He believed that when young people played side by side, they stopped seeing each other as tribes—and started seeing each other as teammates.
