We Did Not Come To Pray For Wins- Kenyan Arsenal Fans On Uniting For Church Service

Kenyan football fans supporting the English Premier League (EPL) team, Arsenal Football Club (FC), held an interdenominational prayer service in Nairobi at the Friends Quakers church in Ngong Road.

The one-of-a-kind service held on Sunday, January 21 saw Arsenal fans in the Nairobi branch converge at the place of worship donning Arsenal jerseys of different colours spanning various football seasons, including the ongoing 2023/24 season.

Among those who were in attendance was former NTV senior political journalist Kennedy Muriithi, who was on November 14, 2022, appointed to Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki's administration as a political advisor during Muthomi's second term in office.

Arsenal fans in Kenya receive prayers during a church service at Friends Quakers Church in Ngong Road, Nairobi on January 21, 2024. /KENNEDY MURIITHI

"Friends who become family. Arsenal Nairobi Branch prayer service at the Friends Quakers Church, Ngong Road," he wrote on his Facebook page while sharing photos from the prayer service.

The photos sparked a wave of mixed reactions on social media, with some questioning the timing of the service a day after the Gunners thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 in their Premier League match on Saturday, January 21.

However, the Arsenal fans explained that the purpose of the church service was for them to unite and worship together as normal churchgoers do as well as create lasting connections.

"Arsenal family in Kenya is more than just a fan group. We have not come to church to pray for victory like many people think.

"We are in church to fellowship together and continue building our bond," the branch chairman, Anthony Kuria, better known as Tickky The Brand, said as quoted by TUKO.co.ke on X.

The Arsenal Kenya Supporters Club, an official arm of the globally renowned English football club, has been rapidly growing in prominence since its inception in October 2010.

From humble beginnings at their inaugural meeting at Club Red Carpet, the club has expanded to accommodate multiple branches in cities such as Nairobi, Naivasha, Mombasa, and Eldoret.

As of 2017, the club’s website reported a membership count of over 300 registered members, however, it is not just about football for these supporters.

The group is deeply involved in charity work, orchestrating tournaments, and launching various community development projects.

One of the high points for the group is its recognition by Arsenal's main club in London.

The club has a dedicated banner space reserved for the Arsenal Kenya Supporters Club at the Emirates Stadium in North London, a testament to the Kenyan branch's significant contribution to the Arsenal global fan community.

On October 15, 2023, Arsenal fans converged in Naivasha for a thanksgiving mass to pray for the health of one of their fellow supporters.

Arsenal is currently level on points with Manchester City and two points behind Liverpool at the top of the table, with Liverpool set to play Bournemouth later today.