Governor Wanga lauds President Ruto for agreeing to name Talanta Stadium after Raila Odinga

ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has lauded President William Ruto for heeding calls to rename the Talanta Sports City Stadium to Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium.

Speaking in Gwasi, Suba South on Friday, Wanga said the gesture is a profound honour to the late ODM Party Leader and a fitting recognition of his legacy.

Wanga recalled that during Raila Odinga’s burial ceremony in Bondo in October, she personally appealed to President Ruto to rename the 60,000-seater facility in tribute to Odinga’s sportsmanship and long-standing love for football.

“In honour of Raila Odinga, who is lying here, we want you to rename the 60,000-seater stadium from Talanta to Raila Odinga Stadium,” Wanga had urged during the burial ceremony.

Her call received renewed momentum on Jamhuri Day when Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja publicly appealed to President Ruto at Nyayo Stadium, urging that the soon-to-be-completed Talanta Stadium be named in memory of Raila Odinga.

President Ruto later responded affirmatively in his national address, signalling that the renaming would proceed once construction of the stadium is complete.

“Tunakamilisha ile kiwanja ya Talanta Stadium pale Jamhuri,” the President said. “Nimesikia yale Governor wa Nairobi amesema, ya kwamba ile uwanja wa Talanta ipatiwe jina gani? Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium? Nimewasikiza. Na tukikamilisha tutafanya hivyo.”

The President’s remarks were met with loud applause and cheers from thousands of Kenyans at the stadium.

The 60,000-capacity Talanta Stadium, currently in its final phase of construction, is one of the flagship sporting facilities under development in Nairobi. The project is scheduled for completion by March 2026.