Gachagua jinxed Harambee Stars – Garissa senator
By Luke Oluoch, August 23, 2025Garissa Senator Haji Abdul Mohammed has attributed the loss and elimination of the national soccer team, Harambee Stars, to a jinx from the former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua.
Kenya exited the 2025 African Nations Championship on Friday, August 22, 2025, after suffering a penalty shoot-out defeat to Madagascar after ending the normal time in a 1-1 draw.
While speaking on the loss during an empowerment event in Mandera South constituency in EL Wak this Saturday, August 23, 2025, the senator stated that Kenya lost its first match upon Gachagua’s arrival.
“Riggy ni mtu wa nuksi; tangu tuanze mpira, tulikuwa tunashinda kila game yeye akiwa ngambo. Alipofika tukapoteza game yetu na team kwa Madagscar. Mtu kama huyo tusimuongleee sana na sisi watu wa Northeastern hatutaki maneno yake,” he said.
Translation: “Riggy G is full of jinxes. Since we started the games, we have been winning every game while he was abroad. When he arrived, we lost the game against Madagascar. We should not be speaking of such a person, and we as northeastern people don’t want such a person,” he stated.
Haji instead rallied the gathering to support President Ruto’s reelection bid.
“Hapa El Wak tunaomba ikifika 2027 Ruto tumpatie Kura. “Ruto ni ngapi?” he asked the crowd.
His sentiments come a day after Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma also linked Harambee Stars’ painful exit from the 2025 African Nations Championship to the return of the former deputy president.
In a statement shared on his X account on Friday, August 22, Kaluma suggested that the national team had been recording impressive victories until Gachagua arrived back in the country.
“Harambee Stars had been winning with ease until Gachagua returned to the country,” Kaluma stated.
The former DP was among a horde of politicians who attended the tense knockout games at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Friday.
He took to his official X account to send a message of encouragement to the team following their exit from the championship.
“Our Stars, we’ve got your back. We stand with you every step of the way. You fought with spirit and determination to elevate Kenya’s football to new heights, pushing through to the CHAN quarter-finals. Your resilience and passion inspire us all. Keep shining and making us proud!” Gachagua stated.