On Sunday, February 6, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga shared photos of him enjoying a kick-about with his grandson.
The photos with his grandson, Raila Odinga Junior’s son, are a true manifestation of Raila’s love for football.
The Former Prime Minister has on many occasions enjoyed local league matches, among them the Mashemeji derby pitting Gor Mahia against AFC Leopards.
In March 2020, he tagged along president Uhuru Kenyatta for the derby at the Kasarani Stadium, one Gor Mahia won.
He has also supported the national football team, Harambee Stars. In fact, last month, Raila wondered why the team could not make it to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
“Shame on us for not playing in AFCON when small countries like Comoros and Burkina Faso are playing. I will make sure next time we play AFCON and even the World Cup,” Odinga said.
Raila has also shown his affection towards English Premier League side Arsenal.
He occasionally catches their matches, and sometimes moves to social media to congratulate them when they post positive results.
Notably, he has involved figurative football commentary during his political rallies.
In the commentary, he tags along his political allies as teammates, with him as the lead striker and captain.
The commentary would then climax with him beating “defenders” before scoring, much to the jubilation of his staunch supporters.
Odinga is a frontrunner in the presidential race in August this year, marking his fifth stab since 1997 when he first vied for the country's top job.