Why Talanta should be named Great Raila Amollo Odinga stadium

President William Ruto’s 2025 Jamhuri Day declaration that Talanta Stadium will be named after Raila Odinga was an acknowledgement that Kenya’s democratic gains are inseparable from the sacrifices of reformists who dared to confront authoritarianism and injustice.

Raila stands as one of the most enduring of those reformists. Naming a signature national sports facility after him is therefore not only appropriate; it is historically sound. And yet, in true Kenyan fashion, reverence need not come without rhythm. That is why I suggest that the facility be styled the Great Raila Amollo Odinga (GRAO) Stadium. In Kenyan street slang, grao simply means a sports ground, making GRAO Stadium the perfect fusion of legacy, language and lived culture and unmatched grassroots connection.

Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s development has never been limited to holding office. His impact lies in expanding political space, normalising dissent, championing justice and insisting that leadership must be accountable to the governed and not an unchallengeable prerogative of those in power. From infrastructure debates to constitutional reform, from devolution to economic and social justice, Raila’s imprint is visible in the architecture of modern Kenya. The naming of the stadium therefore recognises that development is not only about roads and buildings, but also about the freedoms that allow citizens to dream, compete and excel.

Few Kenyan leaders can claim, with credibility, to have paid such a high personal price for democratic ideals. Raila Odinga was detained without trial, politically isolated and economically targeted during the darkest years of one-party rule. Yet these experiences did not harden him into bitterness; they refined him into a symbol of resistance and resilience.

His central role in the struggle for multiparty democracy helped crack open an authoritarian system that had suffocated pluralism. The return of multiparty politics, the strengthening of civil society, and eventually the transformative 2010 Constitution all owe something to Raila’s relentless agitation. His politics consistently emphasised inclusion, dialogue and national unity, even in moments of deep polarisation.

A stadium, by its very nature, is a unifying space. It gathers Kenyans of all backgrounds under one roof, united by shared passion rather than divided by identity. To name such a space after Raila is to honour a man whose life’s work has been about bringing Kenyans together around common ideals of justice and fairness.

The proposal to popularise the name Great Raila Amollo Odinga (GRAO) Stadium adds a distinctly Kenyan layer to the honour. Grao is the language of the terraces, the estates, the ghetto, the village pitch and the urban playground. It is what young people call the open grounds where dreams are born and talent is discovered.

Calling the stadium GRAO does not diminish its stature; it democratises it. It ensures the monument does not feel distant or elite, but familiar and lived-in. Raila has always drawn strength from the grassroots; from students, workers, artists and athletes. GRAO Stadium will reflect that bond, embedding his name not just in official records, but in everyday speech.

Beyond politics, Raila’s passion for sport makes the naming of a sports facility especially fitting. He understood sport as a social equalizer, a unifying force and a platform for youth empowerment. His engagement with football, in particular, was both personal and political in the best sense of the word.

Raila was, at one time, an ardent supporter of Manchester United, closely following the club during the era of Sir Alex Ferguson. Like many fans, his football loyalties later evolved, and he developed a fondness for Arsenal, a shift that mirrored his appreciation for style, youth development and expressive play.

At home, his love for the national team, Harambee Stars, was unwavering. He believed that a strong national side was a mirror of national confidence. His patronage of Gor Mahia, Kenya’s most successful and culturally significant football club, further demonstrated his commitment to local sport. As a patron, he supported not just the team, but the idea that Kenyan football could be professional, competitive and globally respected.

Talanta Sports City is envisioned as a hub for nurturing talent, creativity and excellence. Raila Odinga’s life story, defined by struggle, perseverance and belief in potential, aligns perfectly with that vision. Naming the stadium after him sends a powerful message to young athletes: greatness is not gifted; it is fought for.

GRAO Stadium will stand as a reminder that reform, like sport, demands discipline, courage and teamwork. It will inspire not only athletes, but also activists, thinkers and dreamers to push boundaries and challenge limitations.

In celebrating Raila, Kenya is not merely looking back. It is setting a standard for the future. GRAO Stadium will be more than concrete and steel; it will be a living classroom, teaching the values of courage, unity and resilience. And in that sense, there could be no more fitting name for a people’s sports ground than The Great Raila Amollo Odinga Stadium.

The writer is a Mapping and Research Expert