Gor Mahia mourn loss of long-serving patron Raila Odinga
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 15.10.25. | 10:26
Although best known for his distinguished political career, Raila was a lifelong football enthusiast and a staunch supporter of the local game
Long-serving Gor Mahia patron Raila Amolo Odinga breathed his last on the morning of Wednesday, 15 October, after suffering a heart attack while undergoing treatment in India.
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Although best known for his distinguished political career, Raila was a lifelong football enthusiast and a staunch supporter of the local game.
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He served as patron of Gor Mahia and was an ardent follower of both community football and the national team, Harambee Stars.
The record Kenyan champions released a statement mourning the loss of their beloved patron, eulogising him as a guiding light.
"Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our beloved Patron, the Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga. He was a guiding light and a tremendous support to our club.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. May he rest in perfect peace," read Gor Mahia's statement.
In his younger years, Raila actively played the game, turning out for Luo Union FC and later Bunge FC during his tenure as Member of Parliament for Lang’ata Constituency.
Although details surrounding his passing remain scant, reports indicate that the former Prime Minister passed away on Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment in Kochi, India. He is said to have collapsed during a morning walk at an Ayurvedic hospital where he had been receiving care.
Doctors at Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam confirmed that Odinga suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at 9:52 a.m. Indian time (6:52 a.m. in Kenya). His body has since been preserved at the facility as official procedures commence.
Odinga had travelled to India alongside his daughter, Rosemary Odinga, who was receiving Ayurvedic treatment at Sreedhareeyam Hospital, the same institution credited with helping her regain partial eyesight in the past.
Indian authorities have notified the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to initiate repatriation protocols in line with international procedure.
In his final months, Raila remained deeply engaged in football, actively supporting the sport he loved. During the August CHAN tournament, he was a familiar presence in the stands, cheering Harambee Stars all the way to the quarterfinals.
Following Kenya’s thrilling win over Zambia in their final Group A match, a victory that secured top spot with 10 points from a possible 12, Odinga personally rewarded each player with KSh 500,000 for their remarkable performance.
Just over a week ago, he made another generous contribution, donating KSh 10 million to Gor Mahia to help cover the club’s logistical needs for the season. Only days before his passing, his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), organized a special tournament in Mombasa to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
The event brought together FKF Premier League sides Bandari, AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, and Shabana FC, with Gor Mahia ultimately lifting the trophy, a fitting tribute to a devoted patron whose passion for Kenyan football never waned.
