October 15th, 2025 will forever be a date held dearly by football fans in every corner of Kenya. From the roaring terraces of the magnificent Kasarani Stadium to the newly lit grounds of Homabay, the heartbeat of Kenyan sports pauses to honor a man whose passion transcended politics.
Raila Amolo Odinga, the eternal “Baba” was not just a political giant; he was a true patron of sport, a believe that the field, the track, the court could do what politics often failed to do – Unite a Nation
For decades, Raila stood shoulder to shoulder with the common mwananchi, chanting for the mighty K’Ogalo and rallying behind Harambee Stars, celebrating our heroes in athletics, rugby and football. To him, sport was not mere entertainment; it was identity, pride and hope.
I remember it vividly, ten years ago, during a fiery Mashemeji Derby.
I was buried deep among the sea of green the ever-passionate K’Ogalo faithful when the stadium camera slowly panned toward Raila Odinga.
He didn’t just wave this time.
He stood.
He waved.
And in one graceful motion, he removed his cap, bowing ever so slightly, a silent salute to his people.
That simple gesture, one wave, one nod, sent the 60,000-capacity stadium into a thunderous frenzy.
It was an unexplainable moment of magic – the kind that transcends words.
Right there, clutching my then brand-new white Gor Mahia shirt, it hit me: this man was more than a leader.
He was the heartbeat of the people.
He was there when Kenya needed a voice to champion its athletes, calling for better stadiums, modern facilities, and genuine investment in our youth. He pushed counties to nurture young talent and to see sports not as leisure, but as a livelihood.
He often reminded us that the next world champion might come from the dusty pitches of Kibra, or the running tracks of Eldoret, if only we gave them the chance.
His vision gave birth to more than ideas, it gave infrastructure.
The Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay stands tall today, not just as concrete and steel, but as a monument of belief. It is a living reminder of a man who understood that progress begins when you give young people a place to dream.
And then came CHAN 2024.
It was as if the heavens knew he was about to bid us farewell, and granted him one last dance with the game he loved.
There he stood, majestic as always, passionately seated beside FKF President Hussein Mohammed, his spirit alive with pride and joy.
Raila watched every move, every pass, every goal as Harambee Stars conquered Chipolopolo of Zambia in a dramatic victory that sent the nation into celebration.
And true to his generous heart, he went a step further – awarding each player Ksh 500,000, a gesture that spoke volumes about his love for Kenya’s heroes.
It was more than money; it was appreciation, belief, and farewell from a man whose heart beat for his country’s game.
Even in his final days, Raila Odinga reminded us that sports is not just competition. It is unity, it is hope, it is Kenya.
He didn’t just talk about supporting sport, he lived it. He celebrated our victories, encouraged our athletes, and even promised direct support to teams when the nation needed a morale boost.
And every time he stood in the stands, whether it was from the jaw dropping Kasarani or the Iconic Nyayo Stadium, his presence alone told a story: that leaders must stand with their people, not above them.
In a country where sports often struggle for attention, Raila Odinga’s voice made it matter. He understood that when Kenyans run, play, and cheer together, they find common ground – beyond tribe, beyond politics, beyond division.
Today, as the stadium lights dim in tribute, Kenya salutes a man who gave his heart to the game, not for applause, but for the love of his people.
Raila Odinga’s legacy in sport is written not just in names of stadiums or soundbites of speeches but in the countless dreams he inspired, the hope he ignited, and the unity he built through the beautiful game.
Rest well, Baba of the Game.
Your love for Kenyan sport will echo forever; In every chant, every whistle, and every young soul chasing the dream you believed in.
