Name Talanta Stadium After Raila Odinga, Imwatok To Ruto

Back in October 2021, as the then Makongeni Ward MCA and now Majority Leader of the Nairobi County Assembly, I stood tall and fought to have Mbagathi Way renamed Raila Odinga Way. The Assembly agreed, and those new signposts rose like a promise a permanent mark of Baba’s towering legacy etched into the heart of Nairobi.
Now, it’s time to carve his name even deeper into our national story.

I humbly call upon Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to act. Under the Public Holidays Act, you have the power to gazette a national day of reflection. Let’s have a Raila Odinga Day a day to pause, to honour the man who carried Kenya’s hopes, struggles, and dreams across generations.

Baba’s body lay in state in Parliament a space reserved only for presidents. That moment said it all. He may never have sat in State House, but he led from the soul of this nation.

And to President William Ruto respect. The way you handled Baba’s farewell, the full military honours, the grace, the unity spoke volumes. You said you were forever indebted, and you proved it. You gave Baba a send-off worthy of the giant he was, and the world noticed.

As Imwatok, son of Teso, I gave Baba a road. Now, Murkomen, give us the day. But perhaps, even beyond a holiday, we need a living legacy. Let Talanta Stadium one of President Ruto’s flagship projects and a symbol of Kenya’s sporting future bear the name Raila Odinga. I know Talanta Stadium is the President’s legacy project his gift to the nation. And because both President Ruto and Raila Odinga share a deep love for football proud members of the Arsenal family, just like myself this would be a fitting tribute. We’ve seen how the President has stood with Kenyan footballers, many from Raila’s own backyard. The greatest honour he could bestow upon Baba is to rename it: Hon. Peter Imwatok, Majority Leader Nairobi City County Assembly