EPL Trophy Tour: President Ruto makes fun of Manchester United with his ‘we sympathise with them’ remark
President William Ruto on Friday turned football banter into diplomacy as he hosted the English Premier League (EPL) trophy at State House, Nairobi. Courtesy photo
President William Ruto on Friday turned football banter into diplomacy as he hosted the English Premier League (EPL) trophy at State House, Nairobi.
The President, an ardent Arsenal supporter, couldn’t resist poking fun at Manchester United fans, saying they now understand what he has endured as an Arsenal fan for nearly two decades.
“As many of you know, I'm a proud Arsenal fan. We’ve had many heartbreaks over the past two decades. I sympathise with Manchester United, but it’s the nature of football,” President Ruto said.
He added with optimism that Arsenal’s long wait for glory might soon be over.
“Going by what is happening at the Emirates Stadium, that heartbreak is likely to end this year. So to our competitors, watch this space,” he quipped.
The Head of State also paid tribute to the late Raila Odinga, describing him as one of Arsenal’s most passionate fans.
“Unfortunately, we lost one of our biggest fans, Raila Odinga. When we were not discussing other things, it was always about Arsenal and local football. He never missed an opportunity to attend matches,” said President Ruto.
He lauded Kenyans’ passion for football, saying few nations match the energy and emotion that the English Premier League inspires locally.
“Kenya is a football-crazy nation. People argue about the English Premier League every week as if they own the clubs,” he said, praising the EPL for uniting fans across the globe since its founding.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to reviving local sports infrastructure, noting that the Mombasa Municipal Stadium will be completed soon.
He also celebrated Kenya’s football heritage, recalling that former Harambee Stars midfielder and current FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga remains the only Kenyan to have won the UEFA Champions League, with Inter Milan in 2010.
The Premier League trophy’s arrival in Nairobi is part of the 2025 EPL African Trophy Tour, which will see the coveted silverware visit football-mad nations including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa--giving fans across the continent a rare chance to get up close with the symbol of English football supremacy.