By Anderson Ojwang
The Kenyan Parliament descended into discussing Arsenal Football Club’s Premier League victory and this Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final, while Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni wondered what the celebrations and the hype were all about.
In Parliament, the Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula, a known Arsenal supporter, chided his Manchester United counterpart, saying: “Arsenal are the champions. The Holy Bible tells us that salvation is not judged by longevity. It is just at the moment it happens. And Mwenje is damn right. Arsenal won the league, they are the champions, and they will win the Champions League. Order! Let’s not spend too much of our time discussing Man U, a team that was near relegation last season.”
In Uganda, Museveni said Africans should focus more on jobs, development and poverty eradication than on European football.
Museveni said he was surprised to learn that some people expected him to celebrate Arsenal’s title victory.
“They’re inviting me. Now, the other day, people were telling me that they’re inviting me. One of my people was inviting me to something called Arsenal. I said, ‘What is Arsenal?’ It is a European football club, which I don’t know what they have done, and I should go to celebrate. Celebrate for what? I was a footballer myself. Nobody can tell me about football, but I gave up football in 1966. I am in Uganda. Liberation, poverty, jobs. So please, okay, you can have your Arsenal, you can have those things, but start with the people, please. Start with your own people.”
But back in Kenya’s National Assembly, Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala lit the flame in the House after he said a fashion shop in Nairobi was packed to the brim with Arsenal fans buying jerseys ahead of the Saturday final.
“Mr Speaker, I have been to a shop right now. I went to buy an Arsenal attire. Mr Speaker, the line that is there, the shop is full, and the shop is called East-West Sportswear on Moi Avenue. Honourable Speaker, Arsenal is the team to watch, and on Saturday we are prepared, all of us, to cheer Arsenal as they win the championship. Thank you,” he said.
Dagoretti South MP John Kiare interjected by declaring his interest as a Manchester United fan and dismissed Arsenal as non-starters.
“I must declare my interest that Manchester United is my team, which I support. That great team remembers when they last won this Premier League. Not teams that won the Premier League when some children who are now adults, grown up, were not even born. They have just won this Premier League by fluke, Mr Speaker, and we know the real champion will be claiming it in the next season. Thank you very much,” he said.
Museveni questioned why Africans should become consumed by foreign football culture while many communities continue struggling with economic hardship.
“How can you be celebrating European clubs when your people don’t have development?” he asked.
Recently, matatu operators went on strike over the fuel hike and paralysed the transport system for two days until the government brokered a deal with the operators.
Hopefully, after Saturday’s game, Kenyans will be waiting for the Assembly to passionately discuss the harsh economy, challenges in education including the disbursement of HELB funds to students and universities, school capitation, and the high cost of fuel.
