Governor asks President Ruto to facilitate Harambee Stars vs Arsenal friendly in honour of Raila
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 20.10.25. | 18:43
Raila, a lifelong sports supporter and now former patron of Gor Mahia, already has the Homa Bay Stadium named after him
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has called on President William Ruto to invite English Premier League giants Arsenal for a friendly match against the national team, Harambee Stars, once the Talanta Sports City Stadium is completed.
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The 60,000-seater stadium, currently under construction along Ngong Road, was initially expected to be completed by December 2025. However, the timeline has since been extended, with the facility now projected to be ready sometime next year.
The project, launched in 2023 under former Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba, will be one of the main venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
With Kasarani's capacity now reduced to 48,000, Talanta Sports City is set to become Kenya’s largest sporting arena and the first major stadium built in more than a decade.
The project has already earned praise from FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his CAF counterpart Patrice Motsepe for its ambitious design and modern facilities.
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Governor Wanga, speaking during the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s funeral in Bondo, urged President Ruto to rename the stadium in honour of the departed statesman.
Raila, a lifelong sports supporter and now former patron of Gor Mahia, already has the Homa Bay Stadium named after him.
“Your Excellency, we are only asking you for one more honour,” she said. “That big stadium we are building with a 60,000-seat capacity, we call it in English Magnificent. As a party, we request that it be named Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium, Nairobi".
She further appealed to the President, an ardent Arsenal fan like the late Odinga, to facilitate bringing the Premier League side to Kenya for a special friendly match in his honour.
“And since you are also an Arsenal fan, next year when it is completed, because Baba was Arsenal and you are Arsenal, please bring Arsenal here to play against Harambee Stars in the Raila Odinga Memorial Cup,” she said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Taking a lighthearted jab at rival fans, she added, “And for the Manchester United fans, they can find something else to do that day,” sparking laughter from the mourners.
When President Ruto later took to the podium, he paid an emotional tribute to the late Odinga but did not address the proposal to rename the stadium.
