Renowned Kenyan sports journalist Benard Otieno has opened up about the intense emotions surrounding Kenyan football, especially when arch-rivals Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards face off.
Speaking about the passion of fans, Otieno noted that football in Kenya often goes beyond the game itself, with supporters taking analysis and commentary very personally.
According to him, both sets of supporters frequently accuse him of bias depending on how he calls a match.
“Football is very emotional. I have been told so many times by fans of FC Leopards that I am biased because my name is not here or there. At the same time, Gor Mahia fans have also accused me of being biased against Gor Mahia.”
Balancing Professionalism and Passion
Otieno explained that because of the heated nature of Kenyan football rivalries, he prefers to keep discussions strictly within his professional role as a commentator.
He revealed that he rarely engages in football debates outside the commentary booth or stadium environment.
“You will rarely find me outside of the commentary booth discussing football. You wouldn’t find me in a social place discussing Gor Mahia or AFC Leopards because it becomes too emotional.”
He stressed that when he is behind the microphone, he is simply doing his job, delivering accurate information to viewers.
The Reality of Live Commentary
Otieno also highlighted that television commentary leaves little room for bias or manipulation of facts.
He explained that commentators must report events exactly as they happen.
“Unfortunately for television commentary, you can’t say Gor Mahia won when they lost. You can’t say AFC Leopards won when they lost. It’s not possible.”
However, he acknowledged that even subtle wording choices during commentary can sometimes be interpreted as setting a narrative.
For example, saying a team “narrowly lost” or “narrowly won” can be viewed by fans as framing the result in a particular way.
One of Kenya’s Fiercest Rivalries
Matches between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, popularly known as the Mashemeji Derby, are among the most emotionally charged fixtures in Kenyan football.
The rivalry divides families, friends, and communities, with fans passionately defending their teams both online and in stadiums.
For commentators like Otieno, navigating those emotions while maintaining professionalism remains one of the toughest parts of covering the game.
