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Weekend sports events in Kenya suspended in honour of Raila
ODM leader Raila Odinga enjoys a light moment while following the Safari Sevens rugby tournament at RFUEA ground in Nairobi on November 19, 2023.
What you need to know:
- FKF has announced it had suspended all SportPesa League matches scheduled for this weekend.
- The 2025 Impala Floodlit Tournament matches scheduled for Saturday have been deferred to next weekend.
Several sporting events scheduled for this weekend in the country have been postponed by the respective federations in honour of death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The 80-year-old Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader died on Wednesday in the southern Indian city of Kochi while undergoing medical treatment.
President William Ruto declared a seven-day mourning period. Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced it had suspended all SportPesa League matches scheduled for this weekend.
Struggling giants AFC Leopards were due to face KCB at Nyayo Stadium, record champions Gor Mahia against Posta Rangers at Kasarani while title ambitious Shabana took on Mathare United at Gusii Stadium, amongst other matches.
President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga watch Group ‘A’ match of 2024 African Nations Championship between Kenya and Zambia at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) postponed the start of their new season that was set for Saturday.
“The matches for this weekend have been postponed to a later date. This is because of the seven days mourning period declared by the Presiden,” read a notification from KHF Fixture Secretary Charles Omondi.
A statement issued by the Secretary General of the Kenya Basketball Federation read: “Following the government’s declaration of seven days national mourning in honour of the late former Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) hereby suspends all basketball activities at both National and County level during this period. As a mark of respect to a leader who was not only a statesman and patriot, but also a strong supporter of sport – including basketball – and youth development, all leagues, tournaments, and related basketball engagements under the federation’s calendar are put on hold.”
The 2025 Impala Floodlit Tournament matches scheduled for Saturday have been deferred to next weekend.
The semi-finals will be held on October 25 followed by the final on November 1. The organisers said that all the tournament tickets that had been purchased remain valid.
President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga during Kenya’s African Nations Championships match against DR Congo at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, last Sunday.
“Impala Rugby Club and Organising Committee of the 2025 Impala Floodlit announces the revision of the 2025 Impala Floodlit tournament dates as earlier announced,” Impala said in a statement signed by club chairman Peter Nduati and tournament Organising Committee chairman Daniel Ndaba.
However, the CAF fixtures in Nairobi stay on schedule. Police were due to play visiting Al Hilal of Sudan in their Champions League second preliminary round, first leg match at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on Saturday afternoon.
Nairobi United will host Tunisia’s Etiole du Sahel in their Confederation Cup second preliminary round, first leg match at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Sunday. A minute silence in honour of the fallen Kenyan leader will observed before the start of the two continental fixtures.
Odinga will be buried on Sunday at his Opoda home in Bondo, Siaya County.
