Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has proposed that the newly renovated Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County be renamed Raila Amollo Odinga Stadium in honour of the late former Prime Minister.
Kalonzo made the call on Thursday during a visit to Opoda Farm in Bondo, Siaya County, where he joined other leaders and family members to pay tribute to Raila’s enduring legacy.
Addressing mourners, Kalonzo urged the Kitui County Assembly to expedite a motion to formally rename the facility, describing it as a fitting tribute to Raila’s lifelong dedication to national unity, democracy, and sports development.
“Kitui County Assembly, I want you to move a motion expeditiously to name the newly renovated Ithookwe Stadium Raila Amollo Odinga Stadium,” Kalonzo said.
“Honouring Raila through public infrastructure will keep his legacy alive for generations.”
The Wiper leader fondly recalled Raila’s passion for football and youth empowerment, noting that the two often bonded over the sport and their shared support for Arsenal FC.
“I was a better player than Raila in soccer, but he was a better commentator. And both of us were Arsenal,” he joked, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Kalonzo also backed Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga’s earlier proposal to name the Talanta Stadium project in Nairobi after Raila, saying such gestures reflect the nation’s gratitude for his decades of political leadership and advocacy for inclusivity.
“I heard Governor Wanga during Raila’s burial talking about Talanta Stadium, and I want to support that strongly,” he added.
Several leaders, including Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma, have also supported commemorating the late opposition chief through public spaces, monuments, and national programs.
If adopted, the renaming of Ithookwe Stadium would mark one of the most prominent tributes to Raila in the Eastern region a symbolic act in Kitui, where Kalonzo commands significant political influence.
In a deeply cultural gesture of respect, Kalonzo also honoured his longtime ally by delivering about 100 head of cattle to the Odinga family at Opoda Farm, underscoring the depth of his admiration and friendship with the late statesman.
