Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja with Arsenal fans in the Central Business District /SCREENGRABNairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has gifted jubilant supporters of Arsenal FC in the city Sh50,000 for celebrations.
The Central Business District was transformed into a sea of red as jubilant supporters, clad in Arsenal jersys, poured into the streets to celebrate the club’s English Premier League triumph after a 22-year wait.
The excited supporters urged the governor to protect county employees who turned up to work wearing Arsenal jerseys in celebration of the long-awaited victory.
“If there are public servants who support Arsenal and they wear red jerseys, the Human Resource office should not punish them,” the fans told Sakaja amid cheers and laughter.
The supporters said the title victory had ended years of heartbreaks and disappointments for the club’s faithful followers.
“It has been 22 years but we are her now, is it not so?” one fan shouted as crowds erupted into celebration.
Sakaja, who interacted freely with the supporters, congratulated them for standing by the club through difficult seasons and joined in the celebratory mood sweeping through the city.
The fans further revealed that they were planning a celebratory trip to Bondo in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was widely known to be a passionate Arsenal supporter.
The fans said they intended to visit Bondo to celebrate following Arsenal’s league success.
“I will organise transport to get you to Bondo,” Sakaja told the supporters.
“I will get your contacts and for today, you must also get something,” he added before handing over the Sh50,000 contribution.
Arsenal fans during celebrations in the Central Business District /SCREENGRAB
The celebrations caused temporary traffic disruption in parts of the CBD as fans danced, sang and marched through the streets while motorists hooted in support.
Some businesses briefly paused operations as workers and customers joined the jubilant scenes.
The victory celebrations highlighted the deep passion Kenyan football fans have for the English Premier League, with Arsenal supporters across the country marking the club’s success after more than two decades of waiting for league glory.
Mikel Arteta's side's long wait for the title ended after Man City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth; it ends a run of three straight second-place finishes, with the trophy lift set to take place at Selhurst Park on Sunday.
Arsenal have topped the table for much of the season, but their title bid looked to have hit shaky ground in April. A 2-1 defeat at Man City seemed to hand the title advantage to Pep Guardiola's side but the Gunners rallied and have held off City to win the league for the first time since the Invincibles in the 2003-04 season.
