A Giant Gone Too Soon At Riverside: Football Mourns 'Odu Cobra'

NAIROBI, Kenya- Heartfelt tributes flooded online on Wednesday as the local football fraternity mourned the tragic passing on of James Radido- popularly known as Odu Cobra- following the terrorist attack at Nairobi’s 14 Riverside Park a day before he celebrated his birthday.

At the same time, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) later in the day directed all weekend domestic matches to observe a minute of applause in honour of the victims of the atrocity that claimed 14 lives according to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“On behalf of the LG family, we extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones and all who knew him.

“Over the last four years, James has had valuable impact among his colleagues at LG. Outside work, his great passion for Kenyan football saw him start the “Wadau TV”- an online show for football fans,” Cobra’s employers, LG Electronic said in a statement.

The diehard local football fanatic was on duty when six gunmen raided the upmarket office block before unleashing mayhem, tweeting they were under attack before tragically being mowed by the terrorists on the eve of his birthday.

His body was removed to Nairobi’s Chiromo Mortuary where a host of his peers in local football, stunned at the tragic demise of the Kariokor-bred super fan went to confirm the devastating news. 

“During this difficult time, we extend all our support to his family as we mourn the loss of not just an incredible employee, but a truly inspiring and genuine human being,” the LG statement added.

Odu was eulogised as a giant of the local game, co-hosting the online ‘Wadau’ that dealt with all matters domestic football.

Lovely chap

“Sadly we lost James Odu Cobra in the #RiversideAttack. He was a lovely chap. Always happy and funny. 

“I enjoyed playing football against him a couple of times. I enjoyed the banter and the way he liked teasing me. He was my fellow Manchester United supporter. RIP Odu!” Elgeyo Marakwet Senator and the Majority Leader in the Senate, Kipchumba Murkomen eulogised.

“Until the afternoon of January 15, 2019, James Oduor, known by most of his close friends as ‘Odu Cobra’ was a healthy, banter-loving, football enthusiast working with South Korean Electronics Company LG in Nairobi.

“But, Cobra hissed his last in the late hours of the day, on the eve of his birthday, as his young life was taken away by a terrorist’s bullet when a reported group of at least four raided the DusitD2 hotel, where the company’s offices are located. RIP James Oduor Cobra,” Alex Isaboke, the Sports Editor at Nairobi radio station Capital FM added.

“May God give you strength to overcome the pain. It shall be well. Be strong, Odu is in a safe place right now. God has a reason for everything.

"Sorry for the loss of your close friend. Be strong pia (also). We will keep supporting the two of them all way through. Losing someone close is too painful and devastating.

"My prayers close friends and family. Odu Cobra loved you but God loved him more. Let him Rest now,” Laureen Aseka wrote to his Wadau TV co-hosts, Jeff Kinyanjui and Keke Roy.

“Jah know (s) I have lost a good friend,” the grief-stricken Kinyanjui posted on Twitter.

“No one ever defended me the way you did, even when I was clearly on the wrong. Rest easy me bredda (my brother), that birthday playlist you were preparing yesterday before the attack, me ago buss it loud (I will play it loud). You are my friend for life,” the football journalist added in a tear-jerking post.

In their statement, FKF condemned the vile attacks as they joined fellow Kenyans in mourning as a country came to grips with another senseless act of violence against civillians.

“Moreover, we take this earliest opportunity to not only express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families but also wish all those who were injured in the attacks a quick recovery.

“In light of the aforementioned and in the spirit of patriotism, FKF calls on all clubs, especially those participating in the two top tier leagues, to stand in solidarity with the Riverside Drive victims, by observing a minute of applause during their upcoming fixtures scheduled for this weekend January 20, 2019,” the communication stated.