Romanian clubs honour Raila Odinga with moment of silence

Romanian women’s football sides Gloria Bistrița and Farul Constanța paid tribute to Kenya’s late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with a moment of silence before their league match on Saturday.

The touching gesture took place at Gloria’s home ground ahead of kickoff, as both teams paused to honor Odinga’s memory.

The former Gor Mahia patron was celebrated not only as a towering political figure but also for his immense contributions to sports, particularly football, in Kenya and beyond.

Farul Constanța’s squad includes Kenyan internationals Lilian Awuor and Enez Mango, who joined their teammates in observing the solemn moment.

On the pitch, Farul continued their impressive run in the league with a narrow 1-0 victory, maintaining their place at the top of the standings with 20 points from nine matches.

The reigning champions have now won six, drawn two, and lost just once this season as they continue their title defense.

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Odinga’s passing on Wednesday has drawn heartfelt tributes from around the world. Former United States President Barack Obama and French President Emmanuel Macron are among the global leaders who have celebrated his legacy.

He will be laid to rest today at his rural home in Bondo, in accordance with his wishes to be buried within 72 hours of his passing.

Beyond politics, Raila Odinga’s love for football was well known. In his younger years, he played for Luo Union FC and later Bunge FC during his tenure as a Member of Parliament for Lang’ata Constituency.

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Even in his final months, he remained deeply connected to the game. During the African Nations Championship in August, Odinga was a constant presence in the stands, cheering the Harambee Stars all the way to the quarterfinals.

After Kenya’s thrilling win over Zambia in their final Group A match, a result that secured top spot with 10 points from a possible 12, Odinga personally rewarded each player with KSh 500,000 for their outstanding performance.

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Just a week before his death, he made another generous gesture by donating KSh 10 million to Gor Mahia to help the club with logistical expenses for the season.

A few days later, his party, the Orange Democratic Movement, organized a special tournament in Mombasa to celebrate its 20th anniversary, a final testament to his enduring passion for sport and community.

May Mr. Odinga’s soul rest in peace.

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