Arsenal F.C. honoured the late ODM leader Raila Odinga by featuring his name on the front page of a matchday programme during their Premier League clash with Liverpool
Raila’s aide Philip Etale shared a video of the memorabilia, saying it was sent from London in recognition of the politician’s lifelong support for the club
Etale said he plans to hand the special booklet to Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, to preserve it as a tribute to the late statesman
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Arsenal Football Club has paid tribute to the late former prime minister Raila Odinga in a special way.
Raila Odinga cheering on Harambee Stars during last year's CHAN 2024 competition.
Arsenal paid tribute to Raila Odinga during a past match. Photo: Raila Odinga, Philip Etale.
Source: Facebook
Raila was widely known as a passionate supporter of the North London club and often expressed his love for the team publicly.
How did Arsenal honour Raila Odinga?
A video shared on social media by Raila’s aide Philip Etale showed that the Gunners recognised the veteran politician with a special piece of memorabilia during their Premier League clash against Liverpool.
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The match, played on January 8, 2026, was hosted at the iconic Emirates Stadium in London, a venue Raila had previously visited during his lifetime.
Arsenal honoured him by printing his name on the front page of the official matchday programme for the game.
The booklet featured photos of defender Gabriel Magalhães and midfielder Martin Zubimendi seemingly celebrating a goal from a past match.
The page was designed in Arsenal’s colours and carried a tribute message that read:
“Arsenal remembers RT Hon Raila Amollo Odinga.”
According to Etale, the matchday programme was sent to him from London in January but arrived later than expected due to shipping delays.
“It is from our team, Arsenal. Can your team even? It was dispatched from London to Nairobi, addressed to me in remembrance of Raila, a diehard Arsenal Football Club supporter. It is a memorabilia for Raila. Arsenal forever, thank you for remembering your number one fan. Gunners forever,” he said.
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Etale added that he plans to hand over the booklet to Raila’s widow, Ida Odinga, so it can be preserved as part of the family’s memories of the late statesman.
Watch the video below:
How did Raila Odinga die?
Raila passed away on October 15, 2025, sending the country into mourning. The veteran politician had travelled to India for medical treatment when he reportedly suffered a heart attack during a morning walk.
Cardiologists attempted to resuscitate him but he sadly passed away.
He was later laid to rest 72 hours later at the family mausoleum in Bondo, at Kang’o ka Jaramogi, after being accorded a state funeral.
Source: TUKO.co.ke