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The two Presidents Ruto and Museveni handed over the medals to the players of the two teams before a trophy was presented to the chanting Gor Mahia players. Kitara earned about Ug.Shs 40,000,000 from this match
by David Isabirye January 3, 2025

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Kitara Players with Presidents Museveni and Ruto at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium
Overview:

The match between Gor Mahia (Kenya) and Kitara (Uganda) was first international duel played at the 15,000 seater Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium in Siaya county, Western Kenya.

International friendly match:

Gor Mahia (Kenya) 0 (9) – 0 (8) Kitara (Uganda)

The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya county, Western Kenya was officially opened for public use on Thursday, 2nd January 2025.

Kenya’s most successful club, Gor Mahia overcame Kitara 9-8 in post-match penalties after regulation time had ended goal-less.
President Museveni (white shirt) watches at the official opening of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium
Gor Mahia players celebrate with their trophy


The match was watched by a passionate capacity sell-out crowd that included two presidents; the Kenyan leader William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as special guests.



The match was played for only an hour (30 minutes per half) with either side being denied.

Kitara’s goalkeeper Chrispas Kusiima pulled off a handful of saves to frustrate tricky winger Sharif Musa and Slyvester Owino on different tidings.
Kitara XI Vs Gor Mahia | Credit: Jose Talkless

Living Kabon got close to scoring but his free kick from 25 yards kissed the cross bar in the 19th minute.

Before the tense and dramatic shoot-out, security and stewards endured a torrid time to force the fans to leave the field of play to allow the penalties be taken that Gor Mahia won 9-8.

Kevin Omondi, Alpha Onyango, Joseph Odhiambo, skipper Austin Odhiambo, Musa Masika, Sharif Musa, Slyvester Owino, C. Ochieng and goalkeeper Bryan Matthews all scored their respective kicks past goalie Kusiima.

Kitara’s goals came from Solomon Okwalinga, Patrick Kaddu, David Ndihabwe, Jasper Aheebwa, Titus Ssematimba, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Lazaro Bwambale and Arthur Kiggundu all netted.

Marvin Nyanzi, Ronald Otti and goalkeeper Kusiima missed their kicks.
Fans swarm the field of play moments after the final whistle

After the final whistle, fans swarmed the field of play before the prize giving ceremony.

The two Presidents Ruto and Museveni handed over the medals to the players of the two teams before a trophy was presented to the chanting Gor Mahia players.

This was another trophy added to the rich cabinet of Gor Mahia who have won an unprecedented 21 titles since 1968, their founding year.

“Baba [Raila] has given KES 1 million, and I have given KES 2 million. These two teams will share because they played very well,” President Ruto noted.

That said, Kitara earned about Ug.Shs 40,000,000 from this match.
President Museveni and Ruto officiated at the official opening of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium
The presidents also took part in the annual Piny Luo festival
Gor Mahia players celebrate with their trophy at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium

The match was first international duel played at the 15,000 seater Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium in Siaya county, Western Kenya.

This stadium has modern facilities as the FIFA Standard football pitch, an eight lane athletics track, VIP pavilion, public terraces, perimeter wall fence, ticketing boot, floodlights masts, VIP lounges and holding rooms as well as the VIP parking.

The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga stadium is a product of the public-private partnerships.

Kitara Football Club Delegation:

Players: Maxwell Owachigiu (Captain), Chrispas Kusiima (Goalkeeper), Jamil Kiyimba (Goalkeeper), Farouk Yawe (Goalkeeper), Jasper Aheebwa, Lazaro Bwambale, Arthur Kiggundu, Benjamin Nyakoojo, Ronald Otti, Ramadhan Dudu, David Kasaija, Frank Kasumba, Erick Muber, Solomon Okwalinga, David Ndihabwe, Marvin Nyanzi, Titus Sematimba, Fred Amaku, Living Kabon, George Senkaaba, Rogers Mugisha, Patick Kaddu, Hamim Semakula

Officials: Joshua Atugonza (CEO), Wasswa Bossa (Head coach), George William Lutalo (assistant coach), Hassan Mubiru (fitness coach), Ayub Balyejusa (Trainer), Aloysious Makubuya, Enock Kayondo, Sunday Masinde, Sandra Awori, Geoffrey Tumwesigye, Timothy Kato, Innocent Tumusiime, Yahaya Businge
Donations

President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga have donated Sh3 million to Gor Mahia FC and Uganda’s Kitara FC.

Speaking at the newly launched Jaramogi Odinga Stadium in Siaya on Thursday, Ruto said the money was donated at the request of host Governor James Orengo.

“Baba ametoa shillingi milioni moja na mimi nimetoa shillingi milioni mbili, hawa teams wawili wagawane kwa sababu wamecheza vizuri sana,” he said.

This is loosely translated to “Baba has given Sh1 million while I have given another two million so that these two teams can share... they have played well.”
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Earlier on while launching the Stadium, Ruto emphasised the importance of such a facility in fostering collaboration and integration among African nations.

"We are going beyond our boundaries to promote multinational sports competitions so as to deepen cross-border harmony, boost talent exchange and enhance regional integration," Ruto said.

The President announced that the government will take over the remaining construction of the stadium.

"The remaining work of completing this project including the canopy will be done by the national government until its completion," he said.

Upon completion, the stadium will be able to hold 20,000 spectators.

The donation comes after Ruto promised to build a Sh100 million fish landing site in Siaya County during the closing of the Piny Luo Cultural Festival.

He said the investment would spur the region’s fishing economy by supporting the local community.

“As part of carrying this culture and tradition to the next level, we will build a fish landing site at a cost of Sh100 million to support the fishing community,” he said.
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“As we celebrate this culture, we know that culture is evolving.”

Ruto and Raila were accompanied by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni.