Garissa senator blames Gachagua jinx for Harambee Stars’ CHAN exit

Garissa Senator Haji Abdul Mohammed has blamed the national soccer team’s exit from the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on a jinx he attributes to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking at an empowerment event in Mandera South constituency, El Wak, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, Haji said the national team’s fortunes declined after Gachagua returned to the country.

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“Riggy ni mtu wa nuksi; tangu tuanze mpira, tulikuwa tunashinda kila game yeye akiwa ngambo. Alipofika tukapoteza game yetu na team kwa Madagascar. Mtu kama huyo tusimuongleee sana na sisi watu wa Northeastern hatutaki maneno yake,” Haji stated.

Translated, he said: “Riggy G is full of jinxes. Since we started the games, we were winning every match while he was abroad. When he arrived, we lost to Madagascar. We should not be speaking of such a person, and we as Northeasterners do not want his influence.”

Instead of focusing on the loss, Haji used the event to drum up support for President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 elections. “Hapa El Wak tunaomba ikifika 2027 Ruto tumpatie Kura. Ruto ni ngapi?” he asked the crowd, urging them to back the president.

Haji’s remarks follow similar comments from Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, who on Friday, August 22, suggested on his X account that Harambee Stars’ victories had been uninterrupted until Gachagua returned. “Harambee Stars had been winning with ease until Gachagua returned to the country,” Kaluma wrote.

The former deputy president followed the tense knockout games at a watch party with other leaders and later took to his X account to encourage the team.

“Our Stars, we’ve got your back. We stand with you every step of the way. You fought with spirit and determination to elevate Kenya’s football to new heights, pushing through to the CHAN quarter-finals. Your resilience and passion inspire us all. Keep shining and making us proud!” he posted.

Kenya bowed out of the tournament on Friday, August 22, 2025, following a penalty shootout defeat to Madagascar after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Despite the speculation over superstition, Gachagua’s message reinforced unity and morale for Kenyan football fans, even as debates about the team’s performance continue across political and regional lines.