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Raila: Man of the people, fan at heart, brother in sport
President William Ruto and ODM party leader Raila Odinga share a light moment with Harambee Stars team captain Aboud Omar after Kenya beat Zambia 1-0 in a Group 'A' match of the 2024 African Nations Championship at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 17, 2025.
What you need to know:
- In 2009, he again placed his trust in me by appointing me as Chairman of the Harambee Stars Management Board.
- As I pursued my candidacy for the presidency of FKF in December 2024, Raila's support was a quiet pillar behind me.
It is with deep respect and enduring gratitude that I pay tribute to a towering figure in our nation’s history - Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. A statesman, a visionary, a friend, and above all, a true servant of the people.
I had the distinct honour and privilege of working closely with him during a transformative period in our country’s political journey. As the Director of Resource Mobilization for the Orange Democratic Movement during the 2007 presidential campaigns, I witnessed first-hand his tireless commitment, boundless energy, and belief in a better Kenya for all.
As our “Captain”, he led with conviction and inspired those around him with his clarity of vision, deep sense of justice, and unshaken belief in the people he served.
Supported grassroots football
In 2009, he once again placed his trust in me by appointing me as Chairman of the Harambee Stars Management Board. It was a role that allowed me to channel my lifelong passion for football into national service -- one that I will always cherish. His belief in the power of sports to unite and uplift the nation was not just rhetorical; he was ever-present - in person, in spirit, and with boundless enthusiasm.
This was evident during his long tenure as Gor Mahia patron and his participation in several initiatives that supported grassroots football.
That appointment deepened, not just my respect for his leadership, but also our shared bond through football. Together, we travelled to stadiums across the world, including the recently concluded 2024 Chan, where we cheered on our national team, Harambee Stars, and celebrated the unifying power of the beautiful game. These moments, away from the political stage, revealed another side of Raila: a man of the people, a fan at heart, and a brother in sport.
Inspired by his courage
In more recent times, as I pursued my candidacy for the presidency of the Football Kenya Federation in December 2024, his support was a quiet pillar behind me. He believed in leadership rooted in integrity and transformation -- values I have tried to uphold every step of the way.
My memories of Raila Odinga are not just political. They are personal. They are filled with laughter, shared dreams, heated debates, hard-fought battles, and an enduring mutual respect. He shaped my path in ways I can never forget, and his impact on our nation will resonate for generations to come.
May we continue to be inspired by his courage, his resilience, and his lifelong devotion to the cause of justice and unity.
Rest well, Captain. Kenya is forever changed because of you.
Mohammed is the president of Football Kenya Federation.
