Global LFC Family: Kenya

After watching Liverpool games, it's the place where they'd regularly go to reflect on what they'd just seen.

Last weekend, it was the last place on earth anyone wanted to be. Out of his office window, which overlooks the Westgate mall, he saw people being shot. His former boss' wife and daughter were killed in the siege. He says the horror of what he witnessed will not fade easily.

"What happened on Saturday has left every Kenyan in a shock," he told Liverpoolfc.com this week.

"To me, it's the darkest weekend in the history of Nairobi. I saw some people being shot from our office as it shares the same boundary wall as the top parking area of the mall. Now, any small knocking sound just reminds me of the horrific scenes I witnessed.

"Kids who were participating in a cooking competition were victims. I lost a few friends and a former colleague I worked with for over three years. Despite all this, the message sent out to the rest of the world this week is that we Kenyans are united.

"That was so evident when thousands of civilians were donating blood to play their part in rescuing the injured hostages.

"I would like the rest of world along with all reading this on the official website to pray that God gives strength to those families who have lost loved ones. We stand strong as before and we know Kenya will stand up again to be the peaceful nation it is. Najiwunia kuwa mkenya - I am proud to be a Kenyan."

The below Global LFC Family interview was conducted four days before the siege at the Westgate mall began.

Questions about first LFC heroes and memories of Istanbul may seem trivial now, but Mitesh has asked Liverpoolfc.com to run the interview today as planned. This is his Liverpool story...

Name: Mitesh Chavda
Age: 27
City/country: Nairobi, Kenya
Job: Financial Controller, Abacus Property Consultants Ltd

Why did you pick Liverpool as your team? 

I could sit down the whole day and list over 1,000 reasons as to why I would follow the Reds. There are certain things that happen in life that are difficult to put it in words. My heart just ensured I was connected with Liverpool.

What's your earliest LFC memory?

Michael Owen in the FA Youth Cup during the 1995-96 season.

How did people in Kenya follow Liverpool's fortunes at first?

All of us would have wanted to be seeing the team play week in and week out at the stadium but that wasn't possible. Nevertheless, thanks to DSTV and Supersports we were able to watch live games. With the advancement of technology, many fans keep themselves updated with the official website, Twitter and Facebook. Members of our supporters' club KOP KENYA keep in touch about LFC using WhatsApp - believe me, this group gets insane beyond imagination.

Is it sometimes difficult to find out news or see the match?

I would say there is enough live coverage in the country and many fans are able to watch most games. The only difficulty is when they are not showing our game and show games of other teams.

Who was your first LFC hero and why?

I vividly recall watching a precocious Michael Owen making an appearance in the youth team during the 1995-96 season and I realised that only a club of Liverpool's philosophy and culture would provide such tremendous support in nurturing a young player who would turn out to be England's best striker of his generation. In school I started playing as a striker and tried to score many goals like he did. I must also say that until today my friends - many of them members of KOP KENYA - all think I am too crazy about him.

What is your favourite LFC memory?

I.S.T.A.N.B.U.L. I wasn't born early enough to see the glory days of the team in the '70s and '80s, so it has to be Istanbul for me.

Who has been your favourite Liverpool manager and why?

No disrespect to the great Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley but I will be biased and select Rafa. Firstly, he's the best manager since I started supporting Liverpool. Secondly, he turned us into an invincible force in Europe and isn't that where we belong?

What has been your lowest point supporting Liverpool?

I wasn't old enough to know about Hillsborough when it happened - although I have learnt so much since starting to support the club - so my personal lowest point is simply football-related and that is not having seen the team lift the title.

Have you ever been to Anfield?

No. However, thanks to the brilliant LFC staff members they were able to make arrangements for me to get tickets for the pre-season friendly match in Bangkok. I can now proudly say I have seen the team up close and also witnessed a goal from the legend that is Steven Gerrard.

Where were you while we were in Istanbul?

I remember May 25, 2005 like it was just yesterday. In the morning I was buzzing, went to the office (at that time I was still an intern), I kept on singing YNWA the whole day and was telling my workmates that we were going to lift this trophy. I also said that for every goal Liverpool scored, I would call them on the phone. I was watching the game at home and by the time we were 3-0 down, I had switched off my mobile. I got my belief back when the traveling Kop started singing YNWA and when the commentator said, 'Hello... Hello...' I could sense something was going to happen. When Shevy missed the penalty - or let's put it in better words, Dudek saved it - I couldn't control my excitement. If I'm not wrong, six of my neighbours woke up in the middle of the night thinking there is some trouble in the compound. I did not sleep that night!

Do Liverpool have a passionate fan base where you're from? 

Yes. Those who understand football (unlike those who are after money) all support Liverpool. We also have a supporters' group called KOP KENYA. My vision is to have KOP KENYA officially recognised by LFCSC and we are working on that.

Which team are considered Liverpool's biggest rivals in your country?

Manchester United.

Where do you go online to follow news about LFC?  

The official website and Twitter - I follow some amazing people on there. 

Do you also support a local team?

Honestly, I do not have a favourite team here in Kenya. 

Who is your favourite current player and why?

It's a difficult question. I will break the rules here and select two. Firstly, 'captain fantastic' Steven Gerrard - not only because of his footballing brain but also because despite all the accolades, he still remains down to earth. Secondly, Luis Suarez - El Pistolero! All my friends tell me I look very similar to him! It's been years since I have seen someone dancing around the defence with so much confidence.

If you could meet anyone connected to Liverpool FC - past or present - who would it be and why?

As I mentioned earlier, I was privileged enough to see the team in Thailand and although I could not meet them personally, I was very happy. In terms of past players, Michael Owen.

What makes you most proud to be a Liverpool supporter?  

One memorable incident that my fellow Red friends reference as a validation of my passion for LFC is Fernando Torres' last game for us against Chelsea. I was belting out YNWA, doing my best to replicate the atmosphere at the Kop end when suddenly a gentleman wearing a Chelsea shirt approached me. My friends started gesturing me to lower my voice, possibly fearing a confrontation. Being completely absorbed into the game, YNWA was reverberating through me. I felt a tap on my back, when I turned around it was the Chelsea fan that had approached us! However, he then said to me, 'Young man, I am from London, have watched games in most of the big stadiums, including Anfield, and I have never seen this. You are singing YNWA like the Kop in the stadium. You should visit the Kop and be part of the famous crowd'. Those words are etched in my friends' memories and still make me feel so proud; they are a testament to the power YNWA can have not only on our team but also on our rivals.

Finally, what does 'the Liverpool way' mean to you?   

Liverpool FC is not only about playing football - it's a family, a culture and a tradition. Seeing Liverpool involved in serving the community...that's my Liverpool way. 

Previous articles in the LFC Global Family series

South Africa - Melissa Reddy>>
Thailand - Jeerawan Duangnam Herriot>>
Australia - Wayne Psaila>>
Mexico - Victor Alvarado>>
Indonesia - Andhika Sarwendha Suksmana>>
Nepal - Nischal Adhikari>>
Ghana - Aristo Dotse>>
India - Kaushal Goyal>>
Singapore - Henry Hann>>
Bahrain - Mohamed Ashoor>>
Mongolia - Amarsaikhan Orsoo>>
Vietnam - Pham Quynh Le>>
USA - July 4th Special>>
Iran - Mohammad Reza Rahimi>>
South Korea - Yong-Suk Choi>>
Norway - Arild Skjæveland>>
Russia - Ivan Potapov>>
Myanmar - Khin Maung Cho>>
USA - Roy Yates>>
China - Chen Jing>>
Brazil - Bárbara Rubio>>