SIAYA, Kenya – Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Chairperson Gladys Wanga has urged President William Ruto to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga by renaming the Talanta Sports Stadium after him and inviting English Premier League giants Arsenal to play in Kenya.
Speaking during Raila’s funeral service at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) on Sunday, Wanga said the gesture would be a fitting tribute to the late leader’s enduring love for football and his lifelong impact on Kenyan society.
“President William Ruto, allow me to thank you on behalf of the ODM party for the honour and dignity you have accorded our father and patron,” Wanga said. “We ask for one final honour as we lay Baba to rest — that upon its completion, the Talanta Sports Stadium be renamed the Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium, and that Arsenal be invited to play Harambee Stars in his honour during the Raila Odinga Memorial Cup next year.”
Wanga also thanked the President for personally overseeing the funeral arrangements and ensuring that Raila’s final journey was marked with national respect and unity.
Raila, who dominated Kenya’s political landscape for decades, was also a passionate football enthusiast and lifelong supporter of local and international teams.
He often credited the game for shaping his philosophical approach to politics — teamwork, strategy, and resilience.
He was a familiar figure in stadiums across the country, cheering Harambee Stars and attending matches involving his beloved Gor Mahia, where he served as patron.
In recent years, he pledged Sh10 million to support Gor Mahia’s 2025/2026 season and had earlier rewarded the team with Sh1 million for advancing in the CAF Champions League.
His devotion to the national team was equally strong. Following Kenya’s 2024 CHAN victory over Zambia, Raila promised each player Sh500,000, a gesture that reflected his commitment to nurturing local football talent.
On the global stage, Raila’s love for the game saw him evolve from a Manchester United fan to a devoted supporter of Arsenal after the arrival of manager Arsène Wenger, whose football philosophy he deeply admired.
Beyond sports, Wanga reminded mourners of Raila’s message of unity and inclusion — values that, she said, ODM must continue to uphold in his absence.
“Over 1.3 million ODM officials across the country continue to mourn. Baba was our true north,” she said. “Today, we may not find him to consult, but we must ask ourselves: what would Baba do when faced with division or unity, hate or love, exclusion or inclusion?”
Raila Odinga’s death has drawn tributes from across the political divide and beyond Kenya’s borders, with many describing him as a statesman whose ideals transcended politics — and whose love for football reflected his belief in teamwork and nation-building.
