Ruto Approves Plan to Rename Talanta Hela Stadium After Raila Odinga

President William Ruto has pledged to rename the Talanta Hela Stadium to Raila Amollo Odinga International Stadium, acknowledging calls from Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations,  Ruto announced that the government will rename the Talanta Hela Stadium after Raila Amollo Odinga once renovations are completed, affirming that he had heard and accepted the proposal.

He first asked the crowd to confirm whether that was what they really wanted before making the official announcement.

“I have heard what the Nairobi Governor has said that the Talanta Hele Stadium should be renamed Raila Amollo Odinga International Stadium. I have heard you, and once we are done, we will do just that,” Ruto said.

Sakaja Renaming Talanta Hela to Raila Odinga Stadium

Speaking during the same event, Sakaja proposed that the soon-to-be-unveiled Talanta Stadium be named Raila Odinga International Stadium in honour of the former Prime Minister and Statesman.

He urged President Ruto also to ensure that the next Jamhuri Day celebration is hosted at the new Talanta Stadium. He passionately urged:

“We kindly request our beloved President that next year’s Jamhuri Day celebration be held at the new Talanta Stadium, and we ask that it be named Raila Odinga Stadium,” Sakaja said.

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Talanta Hela

Talanta Hela Digital Hub is a government-funded initiative that aims to identify, recruit, nurture, and monetize talents in both sports and the creative industry.

The hub was launched in October 2023 by the former Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Ababu Namwamba.

The hub is located in Nairobi, Kenya, and it is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a sports arena, a recording studio, and a film studio.

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It also provides a variety of training and mentorship programs to help young talents develop their skills and careers.

The Talanta Hela Digital Hub is part of the government’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda. The government believes that by investing in youth talent, it can create jobs and boost economic growth.

It is designed as a state-of-the-art facility with a 60,000-seat capacity to elevate Kenya’s presence on the international stage, is on track for completion by March 2026.

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Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga shakes hands with President William Ruto after the two signed a coooperation agreement at KICC on March 7, 2025. PHOTO/Citizen.