NAIROBI, Kenya — Arsenal F.C. has sent a package of memorabilia to Nairobi in honour of longtime supporter Raila Odinga, paying tribute to the late Kenyan leader’s well-known passion for football.
According to Philip Etale, communications director of the Orange Democratic Movement, the parcel arrived in Nairobi after being dispatched from London earlier this year.
Etale said the package, addressed to him as a fellow Arsenal supporter, contained memorabilia sent in remembrance of Odinga, who died in October 2025 and was widely recognised for his devotion to the English Premier League club.
“This parcel arrived today, though it appears it was sent in January and may have been delayed at the post office,” Etale said in a video shared on social media.
He added that the parcel bore a message reading “Arsenal remembers Raila Odinga,” noting that the items had been sent from London as a tribute to one of the club’s most prominent supporters in Kenya.
Etale said he plans to hand over the memorabilia to Ida Odinga, Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme, so they can be preserved as a keepsake in memory of the former Prime Minister.
Odinga, who died in October last year, was widely regarded as one of Kenya’s most passionate football enthusiasts, maintaining strong ties to both local and international teams.
At the domestic level, he was the long-time patron and most prominent supporter of Gor Mahia F.C., popularly known as K’Ogalo.
The veteran politician frequently attended the fiercely contested Mashemeji Derby against rivals A.F.C. Leopards and was known to host players at his home, offering both moral and financial support to the club.
Internationally, Odinga was a devoted supporter of Arsenal, having switched his allegiance from Manchester United F.C. in the late 1990s after developing admiration for the attacking style introduced by legendary Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.
He later became a familiar visitor at the club’s home ground, Emirates Stadium, and often referenced the team in his public speeches.
Odinga also maintained strong support for the national football team, regularly attending matches involving Harambee Stars at major stadiums in Nairobi.
His connection to the sport dated back to his youth when he played as a midfielder for Luo Union F.C., now known as Re-Union FC, and later featured for Bunge FC during his time as a Member of Parliament.
Odinga’s long association with football was recognised in several ways, including the naming of the Raila Odinga Stadium in his honour.
Following his death, football fan communities and supporters across the world also paid tribute to the veteran politician, remembering the enthusiasm and loyalty he brought to the sport throughout his life.
