Nairobi County Woman Representative Esther Passaris has momentarily set aside her loyalty to Chelsea to back Arsenal this weekend — a symbolic gesture in memory of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was an ardent supporter of the Gunners.
Arsenal will face Fulham in a Premier League match at Craven Cottage on Saturday, October 18, 2025 — a fixture that has taken on emotional meaning for Kenyan fans mourning the passing of Odinga, who died on Wednesday, October 15.
Passaris, a self-confessed “Blue through and through,” said her decision to support Arsenal for the day was a personal way of honouring her ODM party leader’s lifelong passion for the club.
“As some of you may know, I’m Chelsea all day. But today, I shift gears to The Gunners — for the Rt. Honourable Raila Odinga. Show Fulham what an Enigma is! Go Gunners,” she wrote on X.
Her post quickly gained traction among Kenyans online, many of whom recalled Raila’s long association with Arsenal, a team he often praised in public and followed closely.
Meanwhile, Arsenal Fan TV (AFTV), the popular fan platform founded by Robbie Lyle, joined thousands across the world in mourning the veteran Kenyan statesman. In a heartfelt message shared on its social pages, AFTV celebrated Odinga as both a political icon and a cherished member of the global Arsenal community.
“Everyone at AFTV is deeply saddened by the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. As a passionate Arsenal supporter and a friend to our community, his warmth and commitment inspired many,” the statement read.
The platform also revisited a memorable photo of Odinga at the Emirates Stadium with his daughter Winnie and son Raila Junior — a reminder of how deeply the club ran in his family.
Raila’s love for Arsenal was well known across Kenya, often sparking friendly banter with rival fans. As the Gunners take on Fulham this weekend, his spirit will undoubtedly linger among supporters who remember him not just as a political titan, but as one of Arsenal’s most famous fans on the continent.
