A Sea of Green in Bondo

NAIROBI – Hundreds of Gor Mahia Football Club supporters, known collectively as the Green Army, undertook a special pilgrimage on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, to Kang'o ka Jaramogi in Bondo, Siaya County, to pay their final respects to the club's late patron, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. The event saw fans from across the country converge, transforming the late statesman's final resting place into a vibrant sea of the club's iconic green and white colours.

The tribute began early on Tuesday morning at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground in Kisumu, where the supporters gathered before proceeding in a convoy of over 60 vehicles to Bondo. Armed with drums, vuvuzelas, and club banners, the fans chanted traditional slogans and club anthems, celebrating the life of a man they considered integral to Gor Mahia's identity and history. Upon arrival, they laid wreaths and flowers on Odinga's grave, performing rituals to honour the man they fondly called 'Baba'.

An Unbreakable Bond

Raila Odinga, who passed away on 15 October 2025, in Kerala, India, at the age of 80, was a lifelong, passionate supporter and the longest-serving patron of the club. He was laid to rest at his family home on 19 October 2025. His connection to the team was profound, extending beyond mere patronage. As a young man, he played for Luo Union, a team that later merged to form Gor Mahia. Throughout his political career, he was a frequent and visible presence at their matches, often providing crucial financial support during challenging times.

Fans recalled his unwavering commitment, with many highlighting his final significant gesture to the club. Shortly before travelling to India for the treatment that preceded his death, Odinga met with the team and donated KSh10 million for its operations. “Baba did so much for Gor Mahia before leaving for treatment in India. He gave the club Sh10 million for operations,” one fan, Nick Okello, told the Daily Nation. This final act cemented his legacy among the faithful as a patron who genuinely cared for the club's welfare.

Legacy and Succession

The pilgrimage served as a powerful testament to the deep bond between the political icon and Kenya's most successful football club. Supporters described Odinga as a fearless leader and an enigma, whose passion for the game was legendary. “He was the longest-serving patron. On many occasions, he used his own funds to support the team and ensure that they could play their matches,” Eunice Awino, a team member, stated during the visit.

The emotional tribute comes as the club navigates a transition in its leadership. On 1 November 2025, Gor Mahia's chairman, Ambrose Rachier, announced the appointment of Eliud Owalo as the new substantive club patron. Owalo had previously served as deputy patron. However, this decision has been met with resistance from some sections of the fanbase. During the graveside visit, some fans expressed a desire for the position to remain vacant in honour of Odinga, or for a Special General Meeting to be held to discuss the succession, a concern the club's vice-chairperson, Sally Bolo, has pledged to address with the executive committee.

The pilgrimage to Kang'o ka Jaramogi was more than a football club's activity; it was a cultural event reflecting the intersection of sports, politics, and community in Kenya. It highlighted the profound impact of Raila Odinga's legacy, which continues to evoke powerful displays of loyalty and remembrance from the Green Army, a fanbase that saw him not just as a patron, but as one of their own.