By Anderson Ojwang

For three decades, the late Raila Amolo Odinga reigned as the patron of the mighty Gor Mahia Football Club.
Raila jealously guarded the post and kept at bay any possible suitor to the throne. For Raila, Gor Mahia was the first and most important center of power.

To ensure his firm grip on the seat was not challenged, Raila’s deputy was the loyal and subservient former Homa Bay Governor, Mr. Cyprian Otieno Awiti.

Raila and Awiti formed a formidable partnership in the management of Gor Mahia and remained at the helm of the club for over 30 years.

Awiti gained popularity by virtue of his position in Gor Mahia, and this contributed to his victory as the first governor of Homa Bay County in 2013 and subsequent election in 2017.

Similarly, Raila drew his political backbone support from his boyhood club, and from the club, he received a near-fanatical following.

With the demise of Raila, a new order has been created with the elevation of Eliud Owalo as the substantive patron of the club.
Owalo, who unsuccessfully contested for the Kibra parliamentary seat and was the campaign manager for Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign in 2013, now finds himself in a new power matrix — the Gor Mahia constituency.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, in a press release, said Owalo had been appointed as the substantive Gor Mahia patron.

He wrote, “Further to the press release dated 16th October 2015 by the club executive regarding the notification of assumption by the then club deputy patron, Eliud Owalo, as acting club patron, this is to formally notify the general public, the football fraternity in general, the Gor Mahia Football Club members in particular, and the Gor Mahia fans at large, that the club has confirmed the appointment of Mr. Eliud Owalo as the substantive club patron with effect from the first day of November 2025.”

In November 2023, Owalo, then ICT Cabinet Secretary, bought Gor Mahia Football Club a state-of-the-art bus valued at Sh 20 million.
“We would like to express our gratitude to Honorable Eliud Owalo and his associates for making the purchase of the club bus possible. The bus has been customized and has already been registered,” Rachier said then.
Owalo bought the club a new bus after the previous one was auctioned to offset dues owed to former player Wellington Ochieng.

To endear himself to the new constituency, Owalo has embarked on various strategic interventions to make the club viable and financially stable.

Recently, Owalo, through his foundation, donated 35 brand-new tracksuits to the Gor Mahia Youth and 30 tracksuits to the Queens.

Owalo has revealed that the record Kenyan Premier League champions have initiated talks with Kansai Plascon Kenya Limited, formerly known as Sadolin Paints, over a potential sponsorship deal for Gor Mahia Youth and Gor Mahia Queens.
Owalo reiterated his commitment to transforming the club’s financial model into a sustainable business structure.

He wrote on his Facebook page:
“IN PURSUIT OF SPONSORSHIP FOR GOR MAHIA FC
Held an inaugural meeting with the Management of Kansai Plascon Kenya Limited (Formerly Sadolin Paints).
We discussed possible sponsorship for Gor Mahia FC, Gor Mahia Youth FC, and Gor Mahia Queens.
The Plascon team was led by the Managing Director Mr. Kota Enami; Marketing Manager, East Africa, Mr. Kunal Biswas; and HR & Administration Manager Mr. Benard Ogango.
Private sector partnerships anchored on a re-engineered business model are the most feasible avenue for the sustainability of Kenya’s community-based soccer clubs.”

Amayo Ochieng, a Gor Mahia fan, said Owalo has inherited a powerful constituency that, if well utilized, will propel him to greater heights.

“Football and politics go hand in hand. Owalo needs to win the league and the continental cup. He will surely be a legend.

Owalo has good intentions for the team, and his commitment to spend his resources on the team will endear him to the fans,” he said.

Amayo said Owalo has what it takes to fit in Raila’s shoes after Jakom mentored and exposed him to the leadership role of the club.

“Owalo and Rachier’s combination will witness Gor Mahia develop a global business model like those in the professional leagues in Europe and other parts of the world,” he said.

By James Okoth

Kango ka Jaramogi, the resting place of the late Raila Odinga and once a tranquil homestead, is now pulsing with renewed political life. The site, marked by reverence and reflection, has quietly replaced Nairobi’s Capital Hill as the new axis of Raila’s influence.

Since his burial, the compound has turned into a magnet for leaders, allies and admirers seeking to affirm loyalty and draw inspiration. The air is charged with both emotion and strategy. Every visit carries the tone of renewal, each speech a reaffirmation of Raila’s enduring grip on the national soul.

On November 6th, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka led a massive delegation of elected leaders and elders from Eastern Kenya to the Bondo compound. The group presented 150 herd of cattle to the Odinga family in a show of solidarity. Kalonzo declared that the visit symbolized “the spirit of unity Raila fought for,” and vowed that the opposition would guard his legacy with unwavering strength.

Earlier, on October 21st, Siaya Governor James Orengo and several Azimio figures made their way to Kango ka Jaramogi, calling Raila “a mighty tree under whose shade many found shelter.” Their visit, rich in emotion and symbolism, signaled the beginning of what many now call a pilgrimage to Kenya’s political shrine.

Even leaders from the Rift Valley, long seen as political rivals, made a powerful gesture of respect. A group of Kalenjin elders and MPs delivered 80 bulls to Bondo in tribute to Raila’s 80 years, declaring that “the unity he preached must live beyond him.” It was a rare show of goodwill that bridged Kenya’s deep political divides.

Since then, Kango ka Jaramogi has become a living stage of Kenyan politics. Meetings, declarations and quiet consultations unfold almost daily. Pilgrims continue to arrive from all corners of the country as visits reportedly remain fully booked until December 31.

To many, the shift from Capital Hill to Bondo is not retirement but rebirth. Raila’s spirit, now rooted in the soil of his ancestors, still stirs the nation. In life and beyond, his name remains the compass by which Kenya’s politics continues to find direction.

By Anderson Ojwang

On Sunday at 4:00 p.m., the spirits of Ogonda Wuon Okore, Ojijo Wuon Oteko, Nyakati Wuon Ogutu, and Gor Wuon Ogalo converged at Got Komolo to pay homage to Omollo Wuon Agar. The Mahia spirits were restless and not at peace.
It was time to appease the mystic — time to tower once again and hand over the baton of leadership to the new kid on the block.

Prophet Johana Wuod Owalo gently knocked at the door, and Omollo Wuon Agar opened. Raila smiled — then Juogi spoke to the patron of Police FC, Dr. Raymond Omollo, an ardent supporter of K’Ogalo. Gor en hono (Gor is mystic).
As Prophet Owalo read the scripture and Omollo Wuon Agar walked to the podium to welcome Raila, a new member, to the group, they unanimously agreed on Eliud to lead the new dispensation.

For the last two years, Nyakwar Agar had maintained a firm grip over Gor and had temporarily silenced Juogi, riding to victory as last year’s Kenya Premier League champions.
Police FC had played eight matches against K’Ogalo, won three, drawn three, and lost two — giving them bragging rights.

But yesterday, Eliud successfully avenged by emphatically beating Police FC 2–0, icing it with ending their unbeaten run. What a sweet revenge by the Deputy Head of Public Service over the Internal Security and Administration Permanent Secretary.
Felix Oluoch, in the third minute, sent the Police back to the station before Sharif Musa placed them in the cells in the 30th minute. With no guns or rungus, they watched helplessly as Mahia roared and rolled.

Gor Mahia posted on their X handle:

“It’s all over here at Nyayo National Stadium, ladies and gentlemen, as we corner these policemen with a convincing win. Hawa ndio defending champions? Walikuja na unbeaten record, pigwa kama kibuyu. Sirkal ni moja — we are Mahia.”

Owalo wrote:

“Gor Mahia hit two past Police FC. Joined other soccer faithful at Nyayo National Stadium for the KPL match between Gor Mahia and Kenya Police FC, which Gor Mahia won 2–0. KUDOS K’Ogalo!”

But Omollo, in his response, wrote on his X handle:

“Tough luck to Police FC after a hard-fought match against Gor Mahia. The spirit, discipline, and teamwork you displayed remain commendable. Keep your heads high — the season is long and greater victories lie ahead. Congratulations to Gor Mahia for their well-deserved victory. In this clash of sirkal versus serikali, the spirit of excellence triumphed either way.”

For Owalo, the new patron, the win was in line with the desire of the departed immediate former patron, Raila Odinga, for the team to reclaim the league and win games.
That is why, before Raila left for medical treatment in India, the last function he presided over at his Karen home was a breakfast meeting with Gor Mahia players and officials, where he presented them with a cheque of KSh 10 million.
His final wish to the team was for them to win the league, return to the continent, and lift trophies.

Gor Mahia posted on their X handle after the visit:

“An incredible visit to our patron Hon. Raila Odinga and Mama Ida Odinga’s home in Karen. The club management had a good time. In demonstration of his unwavering commitment and truly generous gesture, our patron presented the club with a monumental gift of Sh10 million to support administrative functions. We are deeply grateful to our patron and his family.”

Raila then wrote on his X handle:

“As the new football season kicks off, I had the pleasure of being briefed by Gor Mahia Football Club’s executive team, led by Chairman Ambrose Rachier, on the club’s campaign plans for the season.

Wishing K’Ogalo all the very best as they fly the Green flag higher and strive to return as champions once again. Let’s go Gor Mahia!”

That is why Owalo delivered the specific mandate of avenging Dr. Omollo for leading Police FC to their first silverware last season, relegating Gor Mahia to the unfamiliar runners-up position and subsequently denying them a chance to participate in the continental games.
Owalo now has a duty to return the bragging rights to Gor Mahia by ensuring his charges win tomorrow’s game by an even bigger margin.

By Patrick Amimo

The Government Delivery Unit (GDU) team, led by Acting Head, Mr. Olando Sitati, concluded a two-day inspection and stakeholder engagement in Isiolo County with a call for renewed urgency and collaboration among implementing agencies to accelerate the completion of the Isiolo–Kulamawe-Garbatulla-Modogashe road, a key infrastructure project under the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP).

The government, through the National Land Commission (NLC), has released funds for land compensation, with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) tasked to ensure payment to Project Affected Persons (PAPs) begins within two weeks.

The visit covered Lot 1 and Lot 2 of the project, stretching 218 kilometers from Isiolo through Kulamawe and Garbatulla to Modogashe.

The project is a key promise by President William Ruto to the people of Northern Kenya and forms part of the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor under Vision 2030’s LAPPSET framework.

Jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank, the HoAGDP is a transformative initiative aimed at modernizing key transport infrastructure, boosting trade, and fostering socio-economic growth across Northern Kenya and the wider Horn of Africa.

The KES 12.5 billion project, implemented by China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd., involves upgrading 77 kilometres of the Isiolo–Kulamawe section and laying a fibre optic cable along the corridor. Construction work currently stands at 45 per cent completion.

The contractor has been directed to finalize critical bridges and tarmac over 60km by the end of this year, with substantial completion targeted for 2026.

The project has so far created over 2,000 direct jobs, with 80% of the workforce drawn from local communities.

During the inspection, the GDU team reviewed progress on earthworks, culverts, bridge construction, and service works.

The team was accompanied by Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. David Kiprop, Isiolo County Police Commander Mr. Paul Wambugu, County DCI officer Mr. Dennis Wekesa, KeNHA Project Inspector for Upper Eastern Mr. Gedion Mwiti, National Land Commission Officer Ms. Zahra Ahmed, Resident Engineers Mr. Joash Ochieng (Lot 1) and Mr. Justus Otwani (Lot 2), among other security and county officials.

Speaking during the site visit, Mr. Sitati lauded the quality of ongoing works but emphasized the need for faster execution.

“This is a flagship national project with immense economic and social value. We must overcome bottlenecks through collaboration, accountability, and urgency. Our focus is delivery,” he said.

He urged KeNHA to take full ownership of the project and fast-track pending land compensation and community sensitization exercises to maintain public trust and ensure timely completion.

Mr. Sitati identified insecurity and delayed land compensation as key challenges affecting progress and called for close coordination among security agencies to safeguard the project corridor.

He underscored the importance of community engagement, saying that project benefits must be equitable and well understood by residents. Alongside the road, the project is uplifting communities through investments in water, health, education, TVET, and security, with land compensation payments set to begin within two weeks.

“Security installations, including police stations along the corridor, are essential to sustaining progress and protecting investments,” he added.

Mr. Sitati further directed GDU Regional Lead Mr. Duncan Mwariri to prioritize complementary initiatives such as affordable housing and student hostels in Isiolo as part of the region’s wider development strategy.

He also proposed the use of mini power grids in the Garbatula section to expand access to electricity and called for partnerships with Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) to expedite connectivity.

During the visit, the GDU team engaged local leaders, contractors, and residents, who expressed optimism that the project would transform livelihoods by improving access to markets, enhancing security, and creating new opportunities for enterprise.

Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. David Kiprop commended the project’s progress, noting the strong collaboration between implementing agencies and local authorities despite logistical challenges.

“The project team has demonstrated resilience and quality workmanship. With continued coordination, we will deliver this corridor on schedule,” said Mr. Kiprop.

The GDU, which operates under the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Delivery and Government Efficiency, continues to inspect, verify, and fast-track national projects across the country to ensure efficient delivery, transparency, and impact for citizens.

Once completed in March 2026, the Isiolo–Kulamawe-Garbatulla-Modogashe road will enhance security and serve as a strategic economic lifeline for Northern Kenya, linking communities, strengthening trade networks, and unlocking the region’s vast economic potential.