Dusit attack: Terror robs Kenyan football of an illustrious son
Sports
By
Rodgers Eshitemi and James Wanzala
| Jan 17, 2019
The cruel hand of death has robbed Kenyan football lovers of one of their own, a day before he could celebrate his birthday.
Football enthusiast and blogger James Oduor, alias Cobra, was among the 14 people killed in the Tuesday attack at the 14 Riverside Drive complex in Nairobi.
Oduor, the founder of online channel Wadau TV, was among the first people to send out distress calls on social media platforms immediately the attack started.
"What's happening at 14 Riverside man. We're trapped in our buildings," he tweeted at 3.32pm, and a minute later added: "Gunshots and non-stop explosions." Four minutes later, Oduor posted: Waaaah. What's happening at 14 Riverside fam? Any news from out there?"
That was his last tweet and posting on his social media pages.
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Oduor, a Daystar University communications graduate, was to celebrate his 35th birthday yesterday.
"We were to celebrate his 35th birthday today (Wednesday). It's sad and a big blow not only to us as a family but the Kenyan football at large. But we have to accept it," said Cobra's cousin John Cavin Omondi.
Moments after news of his death broke, social media platforms were flooded with messages of grief and condolence.
"Fare thee well my friend. Your good spirit will live on in football. You did your part. We shall do ours and remember you," tweeted FKF President Nick Mwendwa.
"Sad to hear about the demise of my friend James Oduor Cobra. A football player and fan who lived the game. My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends at this time," posted FKF Secretary-General Robert Muthomi.
“We thank God for giving him those 35 years, it’s sad but there is nothing we can do. When I saw his body, he was just smiling as always, it’s like he had accepted his fate,” said Susan Radido, Oduor's eldest sister, after viewing the body at Chiromo mortuary yesterday.
On Tuesday night, Oduor's wife, Diana Otieno, was still hopeful that he would return home to celebrate his birthday yesterday.