Kenyan international McDonald Mariga has secured a switch from Parma to Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan side. Not surprisingly, Kenyans have been paying attention given that this is highest profile transfer for a Kenyan footballer in the modern era.
Hours before the close of the transfer window, Mariga was seemingly on his way to Manchester City. Kenya was excited, even though for most Kenyans he was going to the wrong team in Manchester. As in most African nations, the English Premier League is the big draw in Kenya, dwarfing the once storied Kenyan Premier League. The move not only resonated with average Kenyans, but it apparently also resonated at the highest levels of government. In order to engineer Mariga’s move to the Premier League, Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga put on his cape and hit the phones. Raila became an all-action player — the type of player Arsenal desperately needs.
But it makes you wonder … is Raila inspired to move this quickly and aggressively on non-football related matters?
Raila has stated, “I would like to assure soccer fans and all Kenyans that, together with the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Rob Macaire, I have done what I could to get Mariga into Manchester City FC and [that] all is not lost.”
He explains, “I spent a minimum of three hours on the phone talking to Gordon Brown’s office, the Africa Office, the Office of Culture and Sports, the Home Office, and to Mariga himself.”
Hmm. That’s great and everything, but shouldn’t Kenyans expect Raila and other government officials to detail what they’re doing on the big social issues? Wouldn’t it be nice if Raila or President Kibaki detailed what they did yesterday to ensure that essential medicines are available to Kenyans who desperately need them, but can’t afford them? Can I expect Raila or Kibaki to be on the front pages tomorrow commenting on what they’re doing on unemployment issues?
Sure, football is important. And Kenyans should be proud that one of their own is moving to one of the world’s top clubs. But at a minimum, I don’t think that it’s too much to expect politicians to pay as much attention to the social needs of their citizens as they do to football.
Sounds like a student that didn’t do his homework but wants extra credit from his teacher for playing. Then again, maybe he is his unofficial agent. I wonder what his fees are for hitting the phone lines?
Sadly, high profile matters, regardless of how important they are, take precedence. Even if that’s just public perception, public perception matters.
This is just embarrassing. How about getting to work on the constitution? Of course he failed at that too? Kibaki just woke up.
You said Constitution. You would think they were trying to figure out space travel. “Hold on Constitution, I have to get one of my guys to a big club in Europe.” It would be great to hear about what these guys did yesterday for people who are suffering. But we get to hear, don’t worry Kenyan people, I’ve done everything in my power. I talked to so and so, and so and so for hours about … football. Thanks for that. Football problems, sorted. Now on to rugby.
I have seen him play on the telly before. I think he lucked out by going to Inter over Man City. It could be a blessing in disguise if truth be told. He can mainly play as a defensive midfielder, and I remember him as strong but technical with a good passing ability. A bit like Momo Sissoko. I am guessing he will become a better player than Sissoko. Will be interesting to see if he can make any impact at Inter. He has been injured this year, but I heard that he was very influential for Parma in Serie B. So who knows…..
Fantastic for Kenya and Africa to have one of their sons playing for a top Italian club…