Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been honoured by English football giants Arsenal F.C. after the club reportedly sent special memorabilia to Kenya in recognition of his lifelong support for the North London side.
The emotional tribute was revealed by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) communications director Philip Etale, who disclosed that he had received a parcel dispatched from London and addressed to him in memory of the veteran Kenyan politician, fondly known by supporters as “Baba”.
In a video shared on X, Etale explained that the package had likely been delayed for months before finally arriving in Nairobi.
“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.
Holding the package, Etale described the contents as a touching gesture from Arsenal to one of the club’s most recognisable African supporters.
“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,” he added.
Etale further revealed that he intends to hand over the memorabilia to Ida Odinga so it can be preserved as part of Raila’s legacy.
“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 passion for football — particularly for Arsenal — was legendary both in Kenya and abroad. The veteran politician frequently spoke about the club’s performances, often joking about Arsenal’s triumphs and disappointments with the same intensity he brought to national politics.
His devotion to the Gunners made him one of the most publicly recognised Arsenal supporters in East Africa, with fans frequently associating him with the club’s iconic red and white colours.
Beyond English football, Raila also maintained a deep connection with Kenyan football powerhouse Gor Mahia F.C., where he proudly referred to himself as the team’s number one supporter. He was regularly seen attending matches and championing the development of local football talent.
The former Prime Minister consistently argued that football could serve as a powerful tool for national unity, youth empowerment and social transformation. Throughout his political career, he advocated for increased investment in sports infrastructure, grassroots football programmes and youth development initiatives across Kenya.
The latest gesture from Arsenal is likely to resonate deeply with Raila’s supporters, many of whom viewed football as one of the veteran leader’s most relatable passions away from politics.
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