Kenyan President William Ruto revealed that he has invited Arsenal Football Club to visit Nairobi following the club’s league title triumph after a 22-year wait.
Speaking during an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 17, 2026, Ruto said he had already sent an invitation to the English Premier League (EPL) champions and hoped they could visit Kenya sometime next year.
“I have sent an invitation because I think it would be a great moment for Arsenal to come to Kenya. They have great fans,” Ruto said in an interview at the G7 summit in France.
The president said Arsenal’s victory sparked widespread celebrations in Nairobi, noting that he had witnessed the excitement generated by the club’s success.
Why Ruto Invited Arsenal to Visit Kenya
He added that Arsenal’s visit would be a significant moment for Kenyan fans, given the club’s large following in the country.
Asked why he chose Arsenal, Ruto said the club is his team and that he is one of its supporters.
He further stated that he believes the team enjoys support from most Kenyan football fans, while acknowledging that many Kenyans also support other clubs.
Also Read: Arsenal Fans Set Up Massive Celebrations at National Archives With Police Escort [PHOTOS]
“Arsenal finally closed the gap, and it was a huge celebration. I was shocked in Nairobi,” Ruto said.
“It was a big celebration, and I am trying to see whether sometime next year Arsenal can come to Kenya,” he added.
Arsenal Supporters Take Over Nairobi CBD
Thousands of Arsenal fans flooded Nairobi’s Central Business District on Sunday, May 24, 2026, transforming the city into a sea of red and white.
Celebrations began at Kenya National Archives and spread across Moi Avenue, Tom Mboya Street, and Kenyatta Avenue, with fans waving giant Arsenal flags, chanting victory songs, and dancing on vehicles.
The celebrations included vuvuzelas, fireworks, and music, bringing parts of Nairobi to a standstill and briefly disrupting traffic as ecstatic supporters painted the city red.
Also Read: What Ruto Secured at G7 Summit: Three Declarations Kenyans Must Know About
Arsenal won the Premier League title on Tuesday, May 18, 2026, ending their 22-year wait for the championship since 2004.
The title was secured after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth, meaning City could only reach 81 points while Arsenal had 82 points following their 1-0 victory over Burnley.
The triumph came after six-and-a-half years of work under manager Mikel Arteta, who took charge of the team in December 2019.
Arteta’s team successfully defended against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on the final matchday, clinching victory with one match remaining in the season.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
