- President Ruto confirms Talanta Sports City to be renamed in honour of Raila Odinga.
- The President made the declaration during the Jamhuri Day 2025 celebrations.
- The former Prime Minister died at the age of 80 in OCtober 2025 after suffering a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment in India.
President William Ruto has promised to rename the multi-billion Talanta Sports City along Ngong Road in honour of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations, the Head of State said the magnificent arena will be renamed once construction is complete.
“I have heard what the Governor of Nairobi said about what name should be given to the Talanta stadium. You are asking what it should be named? You have said it should be named Raila Amollo Odinga International Stadium.
I have heard you, and once we complete the process, we will do just that,” Ruto made the proclamation in his speech.
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Talanta Sports City to be renamed in honour of Raila Odinga
Earlier, Nairobi City County Governor Johnson Sakaja had requested the President to consider the request in honour of one of the country’s highly revered statesmen.
“We know that beginning next year, this exercise will be held at Talanta Stadium here in Nairobi. On behalf of the people of Nairobi, we ask you to agree to rename the stadium as Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium, in solidarity with our father who led us,” Sakaja said.
The calls follow earlier requests by members of the public and government officials, including Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, who was the first to publicly make the request to the President.
Wanga, in her funeral service speech of the former Gor Mahia patron in October, advanced the request to have the name change.
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“Your Excellency, we only ask you for one more honour. The upcoming magnificent 60,000-capacity stadium in Nairobi, we request that it be named the Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium, Nairobi.”
Once complete, the Raila Amolo Odinga International Stadium will accommodate up to 60,000 fans and will be the largest multi-purpose sports facility in East and Central Africa.
The facility will be the flagship venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Kenya is co-hosting with Uganda and Tanzania.
