Arsenal fans bring Nairobi CBD to a standstill as club celebrates Premier League win

Thousands of jubilant Arsenal F.C. fans flooded the streets of Nairobi on Sunday evening to celebrate the club’s historic English Premier League triumph, bringing parts of the Central Business District to a temporary standstill.

The supporters, many dressed in Arsenal jerseys and waving club flags, painted the city red as they marched through major streets chanting songs in celebration of the long-awaited title victory.

Some fans blew vuvuzelas while others danced atop vehicles and motorcycles as motorists struggled to navigate through the swelling crowds.

The celebrations caused brief traffic disruption in sections of the CBD as excited supporters gathered in large numbers to mark the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years.

Similar scenes were witnessed in several towns across the country, with Arsenal supporters pouring into streets, pubs and entertainment joints to celebrate the triumph.

Fans across Africa also joined in the celebrations after Arsenal clinched the 2025-26 Premier League title following a fiercely contested campaign.

The title marks a major milestone for the North London club, which had endured years of near misses despite emerging as strong contenders in recent seasons.

Arsenal’s success comes after three consecutive runner-up finishes, including the heartbreaking 2023-24 campaign when Manchester City F.C. edged them to the title by just two points.

Manager Mikel Arteta also etched his name into Premier League history by becoming the first former Premier League player to win the trophy as a manager.

Arteta, who took charge of Arsenal in December 2019 after previously playing for the club between 2011 and 2016, has been widely credited for rebuilding the squad into title contenders.

The victory gives Arsenal four Premier League titles, placing them ahead of Liverpool F.C. and just one behind Chelsea F.C. in the Premier League era.

Manchester United F.C. remain the most successful club in Premier League history with 13 titles, while Manchester City have won eight. The only other clubs to have lifted the trophy are Blackburn Rovers F.C. and Leicester City F.C., with one title each.

Across the full history of English top-flight football, Arsenal have now been crowned champions 14 times, behind only Liverpool and Manchester United, who both have 20 league titles.

On May 20, President William Ruto joined football fans across the continent in celebrating the Premier League title.

President Ruto described Arsenal’s journey to the league summit as an epic adventure marked by resilience, discipline and determination.

“It has been quite an experience to follow Arsenal Football Club's epic adventure, from times of struggle and crushing setback to successive seasons of recovery and resurgence on their glorious path to the summit of the English Premier League,” Ruto said.

He added that the team’s success demonstrated the power of hope, resilience, focus and relentless hard work in action.

“Tonight, the great reward is won. The team is victorious. Its faith and dedication are vindicated. And our commitment to succeed through work, discipline and teamwork is affirmed. Congratulations to the Gunners,” he said.