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Kenyans are known for their insatiable appetite for English football and other European league and it’s not unusual to hear an exchange of banter among them ahead of matches that are usually beamed live. Some of the country’s politicians have also been bitten by this bug with the only difference being that they love local football much as they do with European action. Here is a list of 10 politicians who are in love with the beautiful game of football both locally and abroad, writes  Webster Nyandika

Uhuru Kenyatta (Gor Mahia/ AFC Leopards & Arsenal)

The Head of State, despite being an ardent fan of Formula One and golf, often spares some time to watch football.

It is understood that President Uhuru Kenyatta is an ardent supporter of English Premier League side Arsenal and locally he seems to be spoilt for choice between 18 times champions Gor Mahia and their arch rivals AFC Leopards.

He attended a local derby pitting the two sides in March, the first time he graced a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match since he ascended to power and has hosted both teams at  State House.

Kipchumba Murkomen (Gor & Man United)

There is no debate that the 41-year-old Elgeyo Marakwet senator has a passion for the revered sport of football and especially given his artistry while putting it into practice. 

An alminus of University of Pretoria, Murkomen has utmost respect for Manchester United, fondly known as Red Devils, as well as Gor Mahia.

Kalonzo Musyoka (Sofapaka & Arsenal)

The former vice-president is not a renowned sports enthusiast, but according to his handlers he normally spares some time to watch football and he supports Arsenal as well.

Locally, Kalonzo, who is the patron of former KPL champions Sofapaka, has no second thoughts on which side to support in the 18-team log.

William Ruto 

(AFC Leopards & Arsenal)

The Deputy President may not be a known football adherent but just like the President and former PM Raila Odinga, he has a soft spot for Arsenal and AFC Leopards.

He once attended a Mashemeji Derby pitting Leopards and Gor Mahia and has been contributing in several Ingwe fundraisers, clearly showing where his heart is.

During a Twitter interaction with fans in 2014, Ruto replied to one of the questions from a fan who wanted to know which team he supports, and this was his response; “DP @WilliamsRuto: I support #Arsenal. I just don’t know where we are at the moment. #GOKInteracts” 

Musalia Mudavadi  (AFC Leopards  & Man Utd)

The Amani National Congress (ANC) leader was an active rugby and football player in his early days and attending AFC Leopards matches locally is an indicator of how he is an avid fan of the big cats.

He has also been known to sometimes bail out Leopards who occasionally struggle financially. In Europe Mudavadi is an avid supporter of Manchester United.

Raila Odinga (Gor & Arsenal)

The former Prime Minister likes football to a fault and, as a long serving patron of KPL champions Gor Mahia, he usually attends some of the team’s crucial matches.

A former Re-Union player, Raila is a favourite with K’Ogalo players and fans due to his philanthropy to the most successful team in East Africa.

Agwambo or Baba, as he is popularly referred to, was once a diehard Manchester United fan before switching allegiance to Arsenal after the former team was forced to play in an empty gallery.

Hassan Joho (Bandari & Arsenal)

The flashy Mombasa County governor has a soft spot for boxing and motorsport, but when it comes to football he loves EPL side Arsenal.

Bandari which represented the country in the CAF Confederation Cup last season is his local pick.

Peter Kenneth (Re-Union & Arsenal)

The former Gatanga Member of Parliament played football in his early days at Bahati Primary School and Starehe Boys Centre in Nairobi.

Kenneth has also previously played for Re-Union FC besides serving as Kenya Football Federation (now Football Kenya Federation) chairman. He loves both Re-Union and AFC Leopards locally and adores Arsenal in the English Premier League.

Francis Atwoli (Ingwe & Liverpool)

The vocal Trade Unionist has been a strong Liverpool fan for more than four decades and is one of the fans that last month had a sigh of relief when the Anfield side finally lifted the English Premier League trophy after 30 years.

Locally, Atwoli who was at one time the patron of AFC Leopards, strongly supports the second most successful team in the country.

Mike Sonko (Gor Mahia & Arsenal)

The flashy Nairobi Governor is a renowned football enthusiast and has spent a lot money to ferry fans to Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia matches out of the city and even out of the country.

When Gor was playing SuperSport United of South Africa in a Champions League match in Machakos in 2017, he donated 13 busses to ferry fans for free.

He also sponsored fans to travel to Kampala, Uganda, in 2011 for the Migingo Derby between Harambee Stars and Uganda Cranes and in 2017 for a K’Ogalo continental match against Rayon Sports in Kigali, Rwanda. He is a fan of Gor and Arsenal.