President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, March 8 attended a match between Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants Gor Mahia FC and AFC Leopards at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani in Nairobi.
Uhuru was accompanied by his son Muhoho Kenyatta and was welcomed by fans of both teams with loud cheers at the stadium.
Also in attendance at the match was Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader and Gor Mahia patron Raila Odinga, who heartily embraced Uhuru in the VIP box before kick-off.
Police officers and other security officials who accompanied Uhuru temporarily took control of all entry points into the stadium as stewards took a back seat.
It was the first time Uhuru was attending the derby, arguably the biggest club fixture in Kenya, since his election as President in 2013.
Other leaders in attendance were Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed.
While Uhuru's appearance was perceived by some as a show of support for Kenyan football, it comes at a time when teams in the league are struggling as they face dire financial challenges.
The league has lacked a title sponsor since the exit of betting firm Sportpesa from the Kenyan market.
Claims of poor officiating and match-fixing have also rocked the league this season with walk-overs, which had long become a thing of the past, making a comeback.
Going into the match, Gor Mahia sat on top of the league table with 51 points while Leopards were sixth with 40 points.
Earlier on Sunday, Uhuru had participated in the Beyond Zero Half-Marathon at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Uhuru was among dignitaries who took part in the 2.6 kilometre race, with the President finishing with a time of 30 minutes and 50.1 seconds.
The initiative is the brainchild of his wife, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta with this year's edition aiming to raise Ksh250 million in support of programs meant to achieve, among other things, zero maternal and child deaths in the country.
“Beyond Zero’s work is about advocacy and awareness creation around critical health issues, to date, the Beyond Zero Medical Safaris that we have held in Kisumu, West Pokot, Narok, Nyandarua and Nairobi, have served wananchi in these regions and extended services to communities in the neighboring counties,” stated the First Lady when she flagged off the race.
Watch a video of Uhuru at the Kasarani stadium below:
President Uhuru, Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi grace 'Mashemeji Derby' #MashemejiDerby pic.twitter.com/xXO5BVyaTe
— Nation Africa (@NationAfrica) March 8, 2020
