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RAY
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Raila Odinga's fingerprints on Kenyan sports are indelible and will live long in the memory following his demise. Here are seven ways he shaped sports in the country.
Few Kenyan political figures have left as indelible a mark on the country’s sporting landscape as Raila Amollo Odinga.
Beyond his towering presence in politics, the former Prime Minister was a passionate sportsman, a loyal fan, and a strategic patron whose influence rippled from grassroots tournaments to national stadiums.
Here’s how Raila Odinga cemented his legacy in Kenyan sports:
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Gor Mahia Patronage
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Let us start by addressing his impact in the most popular sport in the country- Football.
Baba was an ardent fan of football, and was even Gor Mahia’s spiritual and financial backbone. As the club’s long-serving patron, he regularly bailed them out of financial crises, attended high-stakes derbies, and even rallied fans during lean seasons.
His presence at Mashemeji Derbies, often held at the Nyayo National Stadium, was as iconic as the matches themselves.
Ahead of the 2025-26 season the club announced that Odinga had pledged KSh 10 million to bolster operations, describing the gesture as “monumental” and reflective of his “unwavering commitment”.
Earlier he had rewarded the team with smaller but symbolically significant donations — for example, KSh 1.5 million when the club won the 2022-23 Kenyan Premier League title.
His backing alleviated pressures around logistics, travel, training camps and administrative upgrades — all of which contributed to stabilising the club at a time when many Kenyan clubs struggled with funding.
Infrastructural Development - The Raila Odinga Stadium
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The Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County has been named in his honor to commemorate his commitment to supporting football especially in that area of the country.
With a 20,000-seat capacity, it has hosted FKF Premier League matches -including the last Mashemeji Derby in June, and regional tournaments, as well as concerts and festivals such as the Luo Piny events in 2023 and 2024, giving Nyanza a sporting hub.
Unwavering Support For Harambee Stars
Whether it was AFCON qualifiers or World Cup dreams, Raila was always in Harambee Stars’ corner.
He lobbied for better funding, called out mismanagement, and celebrated wins with the same fervor as any die-hard fan. His belief in the team’s potential never wavered—even when results did.
During the recently concluded African Nations Championships (CHAN) 2024 tournament, he was often spotted attending their games at the Kasarani Stadium.
Raila even pledged KSh 500,000 to each player after they downed Zambia in their final group game to qualify for the quarter finals.
This pledge came in addition to a separate reward promised by President Ruto, who handed each player a total of 5 million shillings each in total for their exploits during the tournament,
Even during their last ever appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019, Raila Odinga visited the national team’s camp ahead of the tournament, and even visited them in Egypt as the showdown was going on.
A Championer For Grassroots Talent
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Raila understood that Kenya’s next greats are born in dusty fields and schoolyards. He supported youth tournaments, school games, and community leagues, especially in Nyanza and Nairobi.
After the post-election violence of 2007–08, Raila supported football tournaments in informal settlements as a way to foster reconciliation.
He believed that when young people played together, they saw each other not as tribes, but as teammates.
Raila’s Support For Rugby, Athletics and More
While football was his first love, Raila also backed rugby, athletics, and boxing. He attended Kenya Sevens matches - Including the annual Safari 7s editions as well as regular Kenya Simbas games at RFUEA grounds.
He was also a constant presence in athletics, often supporting feats of the likes of Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon.
He also pushed for broader investment in non-football disciplines—an inclusive vision rarely seen in Kenyan politics.
Constantly Using Sport as a Peace Tool
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In times of political tension, Raila often turned to sports as a unifying force. He used football matches to call for peace, famously attending derbies with political rivals to show solidarity. For him, the pitch was sacred ground—above tribalism and politics.
Raila often used football analogies in his speeches, likening political setbacks to match losses and victories to championship wins.
He described political alliances as “formations,” referring to the handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta as a “change in tactics” to stabilize the country, much like a coach switching from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 to protect a lead.
The Ultimate Fan in The Stands
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From donning club jerseys to leading chants, Raila brought charisma and authenticity to every matchday.
His deep knowledge of the game and visible passion made him relatable to fans across the divide. He wasn’t just watching—he was living the game.
Raila Odinga’s sports legacy is more than symbolic—it’s structural, cultural, and deeply personal. In a country where sports often struggle for political attention, he stood out as a leader who showed up, spoke up, and paid up.
Whether you wore green, blue, or red, Raila’s love for the game was something every Kenyan could cheer for.