After 22 years of waiting, heartbreak, near misses and endless jokes from rival supporters, Arsenal fans across the world finally have their moment. And nowhere was that joy felt more passionately than in Kenya.
The North London giants were officially crowned 2025/26 Premier League champions after second-placed Manchester City failed to keep pace in the title race, ending Arsenal’s long wait for top-flight glory.
Mikel Arteta’s side then completed their historic campaign on Sunday, May 24, by defeating Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park, where captain Martin Ødegaard finally lifted the Premier League trophy in front of jubilant supporters.
Arsenal finished the season with 85 points, seven clear of Manchester City, capping off their first league title since 2004.
Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke secured the victory against Palace, while Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a late consolation for the hosts.
The match served as a fitting finale to a season that saw Arsenal register 26 league victories and finally bring the Premier League trophy back to North London under Arteta’s leadership.
For Arsenal supporters, the celebrations have been years in the making.
Founded in 1886 by munitions workers, Arsenal FC remains one of the most decorated clubs in English football history, boasting 14 league titles, a record 14 FA Cups and the longest uninterrupted stay in England’s top division with the ‘invincibles’.
Their latest triumph adds another glorious chapter to a legacy that has stretched across generations.
Kenya Erupts as Arsenal Finally Deliver
Across Kenya, Arsenal’s victory triggered scenes rarely witnessed for a football club thousands of kilometres away.
From Nairobi to Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret and even the far-flung county of Turkana, supporters flooded streets, restaurants and entertainment venues dressed in Arsenal’s famous red and white colours.
Nairobi’s Central Business District was transformed into a sea of jubilant supporters as fans marched through the city celebrating the end of the club’s 22-year title drought.
The celebrations became so extraordinary that they attracted international attention.
British media personality Piers Morgan, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, shared viral footage of Kenyan fans celebrating in the streets.
Reacting to the scenes, Morgan reposted the videos on social media with the words “CRAZY SCENES!” alongside the Swahili declaration “MABINGWA!!!” — meaning champions.
Even Kenyan leaders joined the celebrations. William Ruto publicly congratulated Arsenal on ending their 22-year wait, while Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja joined fans in the CBD and even contributed KSh50,000 towards the festivities.
Turkana Joins the Party at Cradle Hotel
While Nairobi’s celebrations attracted national headlines, some of the most memorable moments unfolded hundreds of kilometres away in Turkana County.
There, supporters gathered at The Cradle Hotel Group in Lodwar to witness Arsenal’s crowning moment.
The hospitality brand, which operates premium eco-lodges and tented camps across Northern Kenya, welcomed football fans for a special viewing experience as Arsenal lifted the trophy following their victory over Crystal Palace.
Known for combining comfort, sustainability and authentic Northern Kenya experiences, the Cradle Group has become a preferred destination for travellers, humanitarian workers, researchers and tourists exploring the region.
“Many people think Turkana is just hot and dry, but it is the Cradle of Mankind. Turkana is full of culture, history, and beauty,” said Gertrude Mghambi, the hotel’s Guest Relations Manager.
“Cradle Hotel is proudly ranked as the best hotel in Turkana and we offer comfort, great meals, excellent service, and a peaceful experience. From Cradle Lodwar, Cradle Akai (Kakuma), to My Etau by the Lake, we shall give you the true Turkana experience,” she added.
For Arsenal fans in Lodwar, the venue offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the club’s long-awaited league success together in a festive atmosphere far from the traditional football hubs of Nairobi and Mombasa.
“Today was just an amazing day. The team delivered, our hotel delivered, and the fans showed up. I am so happy,” quipped Dennis Biwott, the hotel manager.
Attention Turns to Champions League Glory
With the Premier League trophy secured, Arsenal supporters are now dreaming of something even bigger – a first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
The Gunners will face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, May 30, 2026, with Arteta’s side aiming to complete a historic double. Arsenal have never won Europe’s premier club competition, making the upcoming final one of the biggest matches in the club’s history.
In anticipation of the final, the Arsenal Kenya Supporters’ Club has organised nationwide watch parties across the country.
Kisumu is expected to host the largest official gathering, combining the Champions League watch party on May 30 with a major trophy parade on May 31 that will bring together Arsenal branches from across Kenya.
Nairobi supporters are also planning a massive title celebration and trophy viewing event at the Nairobi Archives on May 27, while dedicated gatherings have been organised in Mombasa, Eldoret and Turkana.
In Lodwar, The Cradle Hotel has once again opened its doors to supporters, announcing a special Champions League final watch party at its popular Sundowner Restaurant.
Arsenal fans from across Turkana will gather there hoping to witness history as their club attempts to lift Europe’s biggest prize for the first time.
For now, however, Arsenal supporters are simply enjoying a moment many thought might never come.
Twenty-two years after their last league title, the Gunners are champions again. And from the busy streets of Nairobi to the shores of Lake Turkana, Kenya’s Arsenal faithful are making sure the world knows it.
“Mabingwa” has become more than just a celebration – it has become a national football anthem.
So join us at the Cradle Hotel in Turkana for our Northern Kenya watch party!
