Wanga urges Ruto to invite Arsenal, rename Talanta Stadium after Raila
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Chairperson Gladys Wanga has appealed to President William Ruto to commemorate the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga by renaming Talanta Stadium after him and inviting Arsenal Football Club to Kenya.
Wanga made the request on Sunday during the late leader’s funeral service at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST), saying the gestures would celebrate his legacy and inspire future generations.
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“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. You have handled everything personally, and we do not take that for granted. Your Excellency, 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,” she said.
Raila, who has been a towering figure in Kenyan politics, will also be remembered for his deep and enduring passion for football, a sport he not only loved but credited with shaping his philosophical approach to the often turbulent world of politics.
For decades, he was a familiar face in stadiums across the country, whether cheering on the Harambee Stars or watching his beloved Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji Derby against AFC Leopards. As patron of Gor Mahia, Raila went beyond ceremonial duties, actively supporting the club.
Weeks before his passing, he pledged Sh10 million to support the team’s 2025/2026 season and had previously rewarded them with Sh1 million after advancing in the CAF Champions League.
Raila’s support also extended to the national team, the Harambee Stars, reflecting a love for football that transcended politics.
He regularly attended matches, encouraged players, and personally motivated them through financial incentives. In August 2025, following Kenya’s victory over Zambia in the CHAN 2024 tournament, he promised each player Sh500,000, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to nurturing local talent.
His passion for football also reached the global stage. Once a Manchester United supporter, Raila became a devoted Arsenal fan after Arsène Wenger joined the club, citing the French manager’s philosophy and style of play as irresistible. Through both local and international football, Raila left a lasting legacy as a patron, supporter and true lover of the sport.
Meanwhile, Wanga reminded mourners of Raila’s lasting instructions to work towards national unity and stability, a principle ODM will continue to uphold.
She highlighted Raila’s remarkable achievement in building a national, vibrant and dynamic party over the last two decades, noting that the ODM is the largest party across Kenya.
“Over 1.3 million ODM party officials, from polling stations to branches to counties, continue to mourn across the country. Baba was our true north. Today, we may not find him to consult him, but we must ask ourselves: what would Baba do faced with division or unity, hate or love, exclusion or inclusion, hope or despair?” she posed.
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