Kisumu Governor, Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, has welcomed President William Ruto’s decision to rename the soon-to-be-completed Talanta International Stadium in honour of the late Raila Amolo Odinga.
He said gesture was historical and a befitting tribute to one of Kenya’s most influential champions of democracy, whose chequered political career resonated with the country’s struggles to retrace her destiny.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, Nyong’o said the move immortalises the legacy of the former prime minister, whose political life was defined by the struggle for democratic space, constitutional reforms and the entrenchment of devolution.
He noted that Raila Odinga’s role in the Second Liberation and the push for the 2010 Constitution remain foundational to modern Kenya’s governance framework.
The Governor said naming a major national asset after Raila Odinga ensures that his story, sacrifice and values are embedded in the country’s collective memory, particularly for future generations.
The 60,000-seater stadium, which is nearing completion, is part of the national government’s Talanta Sports City project and is expected to host major continental and international sporting and cultural events once it is officially opened.
The governor said a stadium symbolises aspiration, unity and national pride, adding that attaching Odinga’s name to such a facility sends a strong message that the ideals of justice, political tolerance and human rights are central to Kenya’s identity.
He described the decision by President Ruto as an act of statesmanship that demonstrates a commitment to recognising national heroes beyond political differences.
According to the Governor, the stadium will stand, not only as a sporting venue, but also as a permanent monument to a leader who consistently put the country before self, inspiring athletes, artists and young people to pursue excellence with resilience and belief in the people.
Raila, who served as prime minister between 2008 and 2013, has for decades been a central figure in Kenya’s reform movement, enduring detention, exile and political persecution during the struggle for multiparty democracy.
His political career has been closely associated with the expansion of civil liberties and the eventual adoption of the new constitution that restructured governance and devolved power to counties.
The renaming comes as the government steps up investment in sports infrastructure as part of a broader strategy to nurture talent, create employment opportunities and position Kenya as a regional hub for sports and entertainment.
Nyong’o urged Kenyans to embrace the decision in the spirit of unity and national cohesion, saying the gesture would endure long after political contests fade.
He said Kisumu County and the wider Lake Region Economic Bloc were looking forward to the official opening of the Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium, which he described as a lasting beacon of national unity.
By Chris Mahandara
