Football is a global sport with a global following, and our political leaders never shy away from associating with the sport.
The leaders always come out to support their teams during major sporting events, among them international tournaments, Harambee Stars and local league matches.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has openly shown his affection for English Premier League Club Arsenal. He occasionally takes to social media to congratulate them when they win a match.
Raila also keenly follows local football and has been pictured at matches, among them the Mashemeji Derby between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. He is Gor Mahia’s patron.
Curiously, Raila shares one thing in common with his fierce political rival, William Ruto. Both support Arsenal. Ruto revealed this in an online engage-the-people forum on Twitter, under the hashtag #GOKInteracts.
“I support #Arsenal. I just don't know where we are at the moment. #GOKInteracts,” a quoted retweet by Ruto read.
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Amani National Congress Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi, on his part, supports Manchester United, if a past post on his Facebook page is anything to go by.
Mudavadi has also supported AFC Leopards financially, as well as on the pitch. His most recent match was one against Nzoia Sugar early last month, where he was accompanied by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja.
Kalonzo supports Arsenal and is the Patron of FKF Premier League side Sofapaka. Yesterday, during the Africa Cup of Nations final, he was behind Senegal and won a bet against his One Kenya Alliance affiliate Gideon Moi, who was backing Egypt.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen is also another politician with a passion for football. He supports Manchester United, and always turns up for Harambee Stars matches. He also supports Gor Mahia.
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Murkomen captains Parliament’s Bunge FC, and was most recently the team’s best scorer in the East African Parliamentary Games late last year.
Meanwhile, his ally in the United Democratic Alliance, Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, quietly supports Arsenal. His posts on social media, lately, have been aimed at Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, who Cheruiyot thinks has underperformed.
“I hope Arsenal lose this evening. If only it can hasten the sacking of Mikel Arteta who is clearly out of his depth at the club,” read one post.
Former FKF President Peter Kenneth is the founder of the defunct Re-Union football club and supports Arsenal in the EPL while former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko also supports Arsenal.
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