Ruto reveals plan rename Kisumu Airport after Raila Odinga

President William Ruto has said he is in talks with the Kisumu County government and residents of the region over a proposal to rename Kisumu International Airport after the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Speaking during a media engagement at Kisumu State Lodge on Monday, Ruto said the airport could be renamed Raila Odinga International Airport as part of efforts to honour the former Prime Minister.

Ruto said Nairobi’s Talanta Stadium would be renamed Raila Odinga International Stadium when it is officially opened.

“I am in discussion with the county government here and the people of this region, with the possibility of renaming Kisumu International Airport, also as Raila Odinga International Airport, right here in Kisumu,” Ruto said.

He said the stadium is at the tail end of construction, with workers completing the remaining works. Lighting and water systems were being tested, while audio systems were also undergoing tests, and grass had been planted at the facility.

Ruto said Talanta Stadium could be officially opened within the next month, adding that the government was looking for teams to play the first match at the facility.

“Nobody is forcing us to do it. I’m doing it out of respect for the late Prime Minister, who was an Arsenal fan like myself,” Ruto said.

The President said the proposed renaming of the two facilities was motivated by his desire to honour Raila.

Ruto also used the media engagement to highlight the government’s investment in sports infrastructure across the Nyanza region and other parts of the country.

He said the government is constructing a new stadium in Migori, while a stadium in Homa Bay has already been completed. The redevelopment of Moi Stadium in Kisumu is also ongoing, and Ruto said he had passed by the site on Sunday.

How Gachagua threatened to call Uhuru and join Azimio in 2022; Ndindi Nyoro

Equity among world’s top performing banks in Forbes ranking

Ask your husband to be a decent person – Gachagua to Mama Rachel Ruto

Raila family forms committee to coordinate his 1st death anniversary

Five people killed after road accident in Gilgil

The proposal is among several measures the President said his administration was pursuing to honour Raila, who died last year. Ruto also announced that Talanta Sports City in Nairobi would be renamed Raila Odinga International Stadium when it is officially opened.

The President said the decision was driven by his respect for Raila, whom he described as a great statesman who had a big vision for Kenya. He said the stadium was nearing completion, with contractors undertaking final works, including testing of lighting, water and audio systems and laying of the playing surface.

“We are going to open Talanta Stadium now as Raila Odinga International Stadium,” Ruto said. He said the decision was not being imposed on anyone but was his way of honouring the former Prime Minister.

“Nobody is forcing us to do it. I’m doing it out of respect for the late Prime Minister, who was an Arsenal fan like myself,” he said.

The President said the government was also working with Raila’s family on plans to mark the first anniversary of his death. He said he had directed that a mausoleum be constructed in honour of Raila and that improvements be made to the existing mausoleum of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

Ruto said he expected the works to be completed by October 14, allowing the government to hand over the facility to the family ahead of the anniversary commemorations. He said the government would support the family in organising activities befitting Raila’s status as a national statesman.

EPRA announces September-October fuel prices

High Court stops The Standard from linking Charlene Ruto to police uniform tender

USAID busts stolen and expired medical supplies being sold in Kenya

Tata Chemicals told to pay Ksh13 billion before resuming operations in Magadi