Raila Odinga challenges Harambee Stars after surprise visit in Egypt

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga paid a surprise visit to Harambee Stars just a day before the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.

Accompanied by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Kenyan Ambassador to Egypt Joff Otieno, the former Premier threw his weight behind the national team who are returning to the continental stage for the first time after 14 years.

Stars will kick off their Group C campaign with a tricky match against Algeria on Sunday then take on fellow East African neighbours Tanzania with a final group stage clash against Senegal.

Raila, a football fanatic who supports Gor Mahia locally and trophy-starved Arsenal in the English Premier League, challenged Stars to prove to the rest of the world that Kenyan football has come of age.

“Today I have come to show my support to Harambee Stars as they represent us at Afcon after 15 years. We want them to give a good account of themselves and show that Kenyan football has come of age.”

“Our message was to give them (Harambee Stars) morale, to tell them that the entire nation is behind them and we want them to carry the flag very high,” the former Premier said.

Kenya will play Taifa Stars of Tanzania onJune 27,  then Senegal on July 1.

Harambee Stars last participated in the Afcon  in 2004 where they won only one group stage match against Burkina Faso.

Full AFCON fixtures and times