Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has appealed to President William Ruto to name the upcoming Talanta Stadium in Nairobi after the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Speaking duringl at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) on Sunday, October 19, Wanga described the 60,000-seater stadium as a magnificent project that should carry Raila’s name in honour of his legacy.
“Your Excellency, we only ask you for one more honour,” she said. “Ile stadium yetu ambayo inakuja kubwa sana 60,000 capacity. Tunaiita kwa kizungu Magnificent. Tunaomba kama chama, iyo ikue na jina, Raila Odinga, Talanta, Stadium, Nairobi.”
Wanga went on to make a light-hearted appeal to the president, linking it to their shared love for Arsenal. She reminded the crowd that Raila was a lifelong Arsenal fan, just like Ruto, and suggested the club be invited to Kenya once the stadium is complete.
“Alafu, since wewe pia ni mtu ya Arsenal, next year, uki imaliza, baba alikuwa Arsenali, wewe ni Arsenali. Ulete Arsenal hapo, wacheze na Harambee Stars, the Raila Odinga Memorial Cup, next year. Na watu wa Man U wajipange, siku hiyo watafute ya shughuli ingine,” she said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Baba's love for the game
Beyond his towering political legacy, Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will also be remembered as one of Kenya’s most passionate football lovers, a man whose love for the game shaped his life, his language, and even his leadership.
For Odinga, football was more than entertainment; it was a lifelong passion and philosophy. He often said that the sport taught him teamwork, patience, and resilience, values that helped him navigate Kenya’s tough political field.
His connection to football was not limited to the terraces; he played the game himself in his youth, turning out for Luo Union FC and later Bunge FC during his tenure as Lang’ata MP.
His biggest footballing love, however, was Gor Mahia FC, Kenya’s most successful club.
As the club’s long-serving patron, Odinga was not a ceremonial figurehead; he was a true supporter. Whether cheering in the stands during the Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards or hosting players at his Karen home for motivation, Raila embodied the spirit of K’Ogalo.
Just weeks before his death, he pledged Sh10 million to support Gor Mahia’s 2025/2026 season operations.
Last year, he rewarded the team with Sh1 million after they advanced in the CAF Champions League. For nearly two decades, Odinga stood by the club, helping sustain its legacy and inspiring players and fans alike.
Gor Mahia mourned him deeply, describing him as “a guiding light and a tremendous support to our club”.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our beloved patron, the Raila Odinga. He was a guiding light and a tremendous support to our club. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. May he rest in perfect peace,” read Gor Mahia’s statement.
Odinga’s love for the game extended to the national stage. He was a loyal supporter of the Harambee Stars, often attending matches and personally motivating players.
During Kenya’s run in the CHAN 2024 tournament, he promised each player Sh500,000 after their win over Zambia, a gesture that reflected his genuine care for local footballers and his desire to uplift the sport.
Internationally, Odinga’s heart belonged to Arsenal FC in the English Premier League.
Whenever he travelled to London, he made time to visit the Emirates Stadium, proudly wearing Arsenal colours.
Raila’s passion for sports also found expression in infrastructure. His dream of nurturing young talent came true through the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay, a 20,000-seat arena completed in May 2025, a lasting symbol of his commitment to youth and sports development.
Talanta Stadium - Kenya's Mega Stadium
Talanta Stadium, the main venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), is now 61 per cent complete, according to the Government Delivery Unit (GDU), following a recent inspection of the ongoing works in Nairobi.
The 60,000-seater facility is designed to host both football and rugby matches. Key infrastructure supporting the stadium includes a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line along Ngong Road, a railway station providing access to the stadium, and a link road connecting the Southern Bypass to the Bomas International Conference Centre.
The inspection was led by GDU Acting Head Sitati Olando, alongside Nairobi Regional Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo and sector teams overseeing progress. Officials confirmed that construction is on track to meet deadlines ahead of AFCON 2027, with major structural works largely complete.
The project is being funded through innovative mechanisms, including the Linzi 003 Infrastructure Asset-Backed Security, listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), which raised over Sh44 billion.
President William Ruto previously described the funding as a milestone for market-driven infrastructure financing, highlighting that the stadium will be the first purpose-built international facility in Kenya since Moi Sports Centre Kasarani opened in 1987.
"With a 60,000-seater capacity, Talanta Sports City is not merely filling that long-standing gap; it is redefining the nation’s sporting landscape,” he said, noting the facility will help nurture talent and attract global tournaments.
While construction progresses, some Members of Parliament have recently raised concerns over a government plan to securitise the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund (SASDF) to raise more than Sh44 billion for the construction of Talanta Sports City. They warned the move could burden taxpayers with long-term debt.
The National Assembly’s Committee on Sports and Culture said the initiative, meant to finance one of the main venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, lacks transparency and adequate public consultation.
During a session with Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi and National Treasury’s Director-General for Public Investment and Portfolio Management on September 30, Lawrence Bet, the committee sought clarity on the proposed financing model and the diversion of SASDF resources to semi-autonomous government agencies (SAGAs).
Bet, appearing on behalf of Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo, told MPs that the plan had already secured approvals from the Treasury, Attorney General and capital markets regulators, adding that the bond was listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in July 2025.
“The financing model will spread repayment over 15 years at an interest rate of 7.93 per cent, with proceeds directed towards completing Talanta Sports City in time for AFCON 2027,” Bet said. Still, MPs raised concerns about the long-term financial implications.
Meanwhile, from his animated football metaphors on the campaign trail, where he often cast himself as captain and striker, to his tangible support for clubs and players, Odinga lived football. He saw in the game a reflection of life: hard work, teamwork, and the pursuit of victory against all odds.