Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Gor Mahia Football Club has announced the appointment of club assistant patron Eliud Owalo as its new patron following the death of their long-serving patron, the late former Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga.
In a statement released on Thursday, October 16, 2025, and signed by club chairman Ambrose Rachier, Gor Mahia described the passing of Odinga as a great loss to the club and the wider football fraternity.
Odinga, fondly referred to as “Baba” and “Agwambo,” had been a steadfast supporter and patron of Gor Mahia for many years, playing a significant role in nurturing the success of K’Ogalo and national stature.
“To avoid the vacuum created thereby, the Gor Mahia Executive Committee wishes to notify the general public, the football fraternity in general, and Gor Mahia Football Club members in particular, that the Deputy Patron Hon. Eliud Owalo FHRM, FESK, EGH will act as the club patron with immediate effect,” read part of the statement.
Gor Mahia’s management expressed its appreciation for Odinga’s long-term commitment, leadership, and love for the team, noting that his contribution went beyond football to matters of unity, culture, and community empowerment.
Owalo, who has served as the Deputy Patron, will now take over the role of guiding the club’s leadership and development efforts.
His appointment is seen as a step aimed at ensuring continuity and stability within the K’Ogalo family during this difficult period of mourning.
The statement, dated and stamped October 16, 2025, was signed by Chairman Ambrose Rachier on behalf of the Gor Mahia Executive Committee.
Odinga’s death has cast a shadow over Kenya’s football scene, with tributes continuing to pour in from fans, players, and officials who remember him as an ardent supporter of the beautiful game and a unifying figure across sporting divides.
Meanwhile, the Pamoja CHAN 2024 Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania has sent its heartfelt condolences to the people of Kenya following the passing of the country’s opposition leader, Raila Odinga.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, October 16, 2025, the three LOC chairmen, comprising Leodegar Tenga of Tanzania, Peter Ogwang of Uganda, and Nicholas Musonye of Kenya, expressed deep sorrow to the people of Kenya and the Odinga family, describing Raila as a symbolic figure whose influence extended beyond politics into sports and regional unity.
