KISUMU, Kenya- President William Ruto has announced that Talanta Sports City Stadium will formally become Raila Odinga International Stadium when it opens, while discussions are underway to rename Kisumu International Airport after the former Prime Minister.
Speaking during a media engagement at Kisumu State Lodge, Ruto said the government would complete the formal renaming of the Nairobi stadium once construction is finished.
“Talanta Stadium will be renamed Raila Odinga International Stadium. When we open that stadium, it is at that point that we are going to formally rename it,” Ruto said.
The President said contractors were completing the final stages of the facility and its official opening was expected within months.
“They are doing the final touches. In the next few months, we are going to open Talanta Stadium now as Raila Odinga International Stadium,” he said.
Ruto first approved the proposal to rename the stadium during the Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2025.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had asked the national government to name the facility after Raila as a tribute to the former Prime Minister’s contribution to Kenya.
The 60,000-seat stadium is under construction along Ngong Road in Nairobi and is among the facilities Kenya plans to use during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kenya will co-host the continental football tournament with Uganda and Tanzania.
Ruto said the decision also recognised Raila’s love for football and their shared support for English Premier League club Arsenal.
“I am doing it out of respect for the former Prime Minister, who was an Arsenal fan like myself,” the President said.
Talks over Kisumu airport
Ruto said his administration was also consulting the Kisumu County Government about the possible renaming of Kisumu International Airport.
“It is not just the stadium in Nairobi. I am in discussion with the county government here over the possibility of renaming Kisumu International Airport as Raila Odinga International Airport,” he said.
The proposal has not yet been formally approved, and the President did not provide a timeline for completing the discussions.
Kisumu International Airport is operated by the Kenya Airports Authority, a national government agency. It is one of the country’s busiest domestic aviation facilities, with regular flights connecting the lakeside city to Nairobi and Mombasa.
Political and community leaders have previously proposed naming the airport after Raila, who represented Lang’ata Constituency for two decades and led the Orange Democratic Movement until his death in October 2025.
The former Prime Minister was born in Maseno, Kisumu County, and maintained strong political and family ties to the wider Nyanza region throughout his career.
Ruto made the announcement during his development tour of Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties.
During the visit, the President has repeatedly promised to honour Raila’s political and development legacy while maintaining cooperation between the United Democratic Alliance and ODM.
The stadium renaming is confirmed and will take effect when the facility opens.
The proposed new name for Kisumu International Airport remains under discussion between the national and county governments.
