- The late Raila Odinga was an ardent football fan who often wowed crowds at political rallies with his football commentary
- Raila used a football match analogy coupled with his oratory flair to describe the political contests ahead of him
- We sampled some of his commentary lines and relived the life of a political enigma who held the beautiful game close to his heart
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Haaya. Haloo. Haloo.
Any other time he took the microphone at a political rally, especially when elections were fast approaching, at the end of his speech with all the political innuendos, three things were certain…
Source: Getty Images
Witty lines. Masterful commentary. Laughter at the end.
The lines flew like crisp passes, the commentary flowed play by play, Peter Drury-esque and the laughter always rippled through the crowd.
With the characteristic stutter in his voice and wiping his eye occasionally, a reminder of the high price he paid for democracy, the football commentary would begin.
Inside Raila Odinga’s football commentary
First up would be the opponent of the day, whom he introduced as the perfect rival they were, taking swipes at them with a perfect blend of humour and subtle swipes.
“Moja inaitwa Tanga Tanga Combined ingine inaitwa Handshake Combined. Ndio tunaingia kwenye uwanja. Ile team ya Tanga Tanga captain anaitwa Arap Mashamba…”
Then came his team. Always powerful. Always formidable. Ready to take on any opponent in the world. And just like star-studded players draw attention, every name he mentioned drew wild cheers from the crowd, a clear rubber stamp of the belief in the gospel he was preaching.
Kickoff.
His games often began with the opponent dominating proceedings, but their efforts counted for nothing. His main rival would either have their shots on goal saved or miss the target entirely.
“Uhuru ameanza. Amepatia Ruto. Amepatia Duale. Amepatia Kindiki. Kindiki na mpira. Amerudishia Uhuru anapiga shot. Oh, mpira umeenda nje!”
Subtle swipes at opponent
Upon restart, there was only one outcome. An emphatic win for his team with a tinge of low jabs, where his player embarrassed the opponent.
“Mpira unaanza tena. Inashuka kule kwa upande wa Weta. Weta anapatia Isaac Ruto. Amechenga William Ruto. Amechenga mpaka William Ruto ameanguka chini. Inaonekana William Ruto ameanguka chini na ameumia.”
The commentary was often layered, demonstrating teamwork before his team set him up beautifully to bring it home.
“Isaac Ruto anaenda tena. Amekata pale ingine anapatia Mudavadi. Mudavadi na mpira. Amechenga Duale. Amepatia Kalonzo. Kalonzo na mpira. Amepatia Raila. Raila na mpira. Raila na mpira, goooooaaaaaaaal!”
Source: Getty Images
Raila the football fan
Raila Odinga was many things: a freedom fighter, a statesman, you name it. And in the many gifts he shared with the world was his love of football.
The Gor Mahia and Arsenal fan rarely missed the big local games, which explained why he seamlessly blended his oratory skills with football knowledge in political rallies.
K’Ogalo sent an emotional tribute after the demise of their long-serving patron.
His satirical lines and wit will echo long after he is buried on Sunday. He will be missed. Dearly. Rest in power, Jakom.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
