President Uhuru, Raila grace Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards match

ODM leader Raila Odinga (left) greets President Uhuru Kenyatta before taking their seats to watch the match. [Courtesy/KTN News]

President Uhuru Kenyatta, Opposition leader Raila Odinga, and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi are among the leaders who attended today’s Mashemeji Derby where Kenya Premier League leaders Gor Mahia are taking on their arch-rivals AFC Leopards at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani.

President Uhuru who arrived at the Stadium a few minutes to kickoff was accompanied Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed, State House Controller Kinuthia Mbugua among other leaders.

Uhuru was seen waving from the VIP stand as Raila and Mudavadi greeted the players before the match started sending the stadium into a frenzy.

Odinga and Musalia arrived shortly before the match and greeted the players before making their way to the VIP section to take a seat next to the President.

The duo, who were flanked by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier waved at fans who responded with cheers before the kickoff whistle.

The two teams are meeting in their 89th derby match against the backdrop of financial challenges ranging following the withdrawal of giant betting firm Sportpesa.

Both sets of fans are waiting to see if the attendance of President Uhuru Kenyatta who rarely attend the matches will change their fortune.

AFC being the host will be keen to turn the tables against their rivals having failed to win against KÓgalo since 2016 in a 1-0 win with Gor winning the rest.

Earlier on, President Uhuru had graced the Beyond Zero Campaign which was led by First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, coinciding with the celebration of Women’s International Day.