Rest in Peace Fidel Odinga
Fidel Odinga the Grandson of Kenya’s first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and first son of Kenya’s foremost people’s rights fighter Raila Odinga was laid to rest.
Fidel Odinga was an avid Gor Mahia fan. Unbeknownst to most, he was involved in various activities including the youth team. It is for this reason that Gor Mahia fans turned out in droves for his funeral.
According to the Standard,Gor Mahia Football Club carried out the day as they turned up in large numbers to pay their last respect to Fidel Castro during his emotional send-off on Saturday. The fans hummed praise songs and dirges to eulogise the late Fidel Odinga stating that he was a true Gor Mahia hero. “Fidel was a friend of all the people and to be specific the Kogallo family. I sell peanuts in Kisumu, but when games are held in Nairobi I travel all the way to sell to the fans. Fidel would use as much as Sh3000 in purchasing peanuts just for the fans,” said Ezekiel Kawere an ardent fan.
Fidel also supported other sports.
In 2014, Fidel stepped in to offer financial support to Kisumu Rugby Football club. The club had been in a dire financial situation having lost their previous patron. They had forfeited many matches because players simply would not show up. Fidel came to the rescue. It is for this reason that the Kenya Rugby Football Union (KRFU) mandated a moment of silence to remember Fidel.
“I met Fidel Odinga about 10 years ago. Fidel liked rugby very much, had many friends among rugby players, but followed the game very much in the periphery. Only very recently I appealed to him and encouraged him to help out in rugby management; by assisting Kisumu Rugby Football Club which was then struggling in many aspects” said Muthee
“He effected a remarkable, almost immediate, turn-around. He became the Chairman of the team that had been relegated from the top-flight competition and which, in just half of the current season, is topping its second-tier division, virtually guaranteeing itself a place in the play-offs for promotion back to the Kenya Cup”
“Fidel had become my friend whom I admired for the commitment to support rugby in one of the high potential regions in our country, Kisumu, in particular and Nyanza and Western in general. He was so effective in stablising the game, bringing in freshness and boosting morale that the game was looking up like never before”
“Fidel’s humbleness, calmness and easy-going nature was unbelievable. His background was in the top echelons of society but he was the finest example of wonderful Kenyans who get along across diverse class, regional, religious, age or philosophical lines”
Because of his love for sports, rugby players and fans were among the thousands of mourners who made it to Bondo.
Rest In Peace
What can we say during these sad days when every glimpse of his ever smiling humble face sends tears trickling down many a fans cheeks!! Its too painful to fathom what on earth has become of our country! Fathers and mothers are burying their sons and grandsons instead of the latter burying the former. Fare thee well General Makarios Obange Otuom polo. We will miss you.
RIP Fidel.
At Kogalo we loved you but GOD loved you even more.
RIP brother Fidel Castro Makarios Odhiambo Odinga.
We will miss you Makarios.
We will forever miss your unending support Nyakwar Ajuma, chuor Jaber, RIP
A man of the people
RiP General. There is no better way to keep Fidel’s legacy alive than by K’Ogalo and Kisumu Rugby Club wresting their respective titles.
THE PAIN IS TOO MUCH TO FATHOM!
A HUMBLE AND LOVING SOUL PLUCKED FROM OUR MIDST!
OBANGE, LOVER OF KOGALO REST IN PEACE!!