Kisumu Governor Welcomes Renaming of Talanta Stadium in Honour of Raila Odinga
He said such an honour to Odinga reflects a wider commitment to national cohesion and reconciliation at a time when the country is still trying to get out of political and social challenges.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has welcomed the decision by President William Ruto to rename the soon-to-be-completed Talanta International Stadium after the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, terming the move historic and deeply symbolic for the nation.
In a statement, Governor Nyong’o described the renaming as a fitting tribute to one of Kenya’s most influential champions of democracy, whose long and eventful political career closely mirrored the country’s struggle for political freedoms, constitutional reforms, and inclusive governance. He said the decision recognizes Odinga’s immense contribution to shaping Kenya’s democratic journey and ensures that his legacy is permanently etched into the country’s national consciousness.
The governor pointed out that Raila Odinga’s political life was a silhouette of sacrifice, resistance, and an unbending belief in democratic ideals. He highlighted Odinga’s central role in the Second Liberation movement that opened up democratic space in the country and his contribution to the push for the 2010 Constitution that revolutionized Kenya’s governance structure through the entrenchment of devolution and stronger institutions.
According to Nyong’o, naming a major national asset after Odinga is an important way to conserve the history and values that defined his leadership. He said the move guarantees that future generations will continue to learn about Odinga’s struggles, ideals, and contributions-not just through textbooks, but through a living national landmark associated with unity, aspiration, and excellence.
The near-complete 60,000-seater stadium is part of the Talanta Sports City project by the national government. Once complete and officially opened, it is expected to host major continental and international sporting competitions, concerts, and cultural events. Nyong’o said the facility will play a critical role in positioning Kenya as a regional hub for sports and the creative industries.
He added that a stadium represents hope, national pride, and collective achievement, and attaching Raila Odinga’s name to such an iconic facility sends a powerful message about the values Kenya chooses to honour. According to the governor, the decision reinforces the importance of justice, political tolerance, human rights, and unity as core pillars of Kenya’s national identity.
Nyong’o further characterized President Ruto‘s move as an act of statesmanship, noting that it has demonstrated maturity and a willingness to go beyond political differences to recognize national heroes. He said such an honour to Odinga reflects a wider commitment to national cohesion and reconciliation at a time when the country is still trying to get out of political and social challenges.
The governor underscored the fact that the stadium will stand not only as a world-class sporting venue, but as a permanent monument to a leader who always put the interests of the country above personal ambition. He stated that Raila Odinga Stadium would serve as a source of inspiration to athletes, artists, and the youth in general, for excellence with resilience, courage, and faith in the power of the people. Nyong’o said that the renaming of the stadium reminds the country that progress has been built on the sacrifices of many, and also expressed that honouring such contributions is a pertinent ingredient in strengthening national unity and preserving the democratic heritage that Kenyans have won.
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