Siaya Governor James Orengo has finally addressed the viral photos that left Kenyan football fans questioning where his true loyalties lie after he was spotted wearing an Arsenal F.C. jersey branded with the name “Baba”.
The senior Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician made the clarification during an interview with media personality Oga Obinna, where he was asked directly about the now widely circulated images showing him dressed in Arsenal’s iconic red-and-white colours.
The photos quickly triggered debate online, particularly among football supporters who attempted to decode whether Orengo had abandoned Spanish giants Real Madrid CF for the North London side.
However, the governor insisted his heart still belongs to Real Madrid.
“I’m a Real Madrid fan. That’s my team,” Orengo said.
“But for the Premier League, and because of my association with Baba, I happen to support Arsenal.”
His remarks immediately reignited discussion about the deep football culture surrounding ODM leader Raila Odinga, popularly known as “Baba” among his supporters.
Raila has long been associated with Arsenal, with close allies and family members repeatedly describing him as one of the club’s most passionate Kenyan supporters.
His brother, Oburu Odinga, previously revealed that football occupied a special place in Raila’s life far beyond politics.
“Raila was a great lover of football. Arsenal was his team. He was also a patron of Gor Mahia F.C.,” Oburu once said.
The latest revelations from Orengo come at a time when Arsenal’s influence among Kenyan leaders and supporters appears stronger than ever following the club’s dramatic 2025/26 Premier League title triumph.
Arsenal ended a painful 22-year wait for league glory after sealing the championship in a season many fans described as emotional, symbolic, and historic.
Their success sparked nationwide celebrations across Kenya, where European football continues to command enormous cultural influence.
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions from supporters, celebrities, and politicians, turning Arsenal’s title victory into one of the country’s biggest sporting conversations.
Among those who publicly reacted was William Ruto, who openly identifies as an Arsenal supporter.
Rather than issuing a routine congratulatory message, the President reflected on the club’s years of struggle before finally reclaiming the league crown.
“It has been quite an experience to follow Arsenal Football Club’s epic adventure, from times of struggle and crushing setback, to successive seasons of recovery and resurgence on their glorious path to the summit of the English Premier League,” Ruto said.
For many Kenyan Arsenal supporters, the title represented more than football success.
After years of heartbreak, near misses, and rebuilding projects, the triumph felt like vindication for fans who remained loyal during the club’s most difficult years.
Orengo’s comments now appear to confirm what many had suspected — that his visible support for Arsenal is not simply about football, but also a reflection of his long-standing political and personal ties to Raila Odinga and the wider ODM movement.
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