BUSIA, KENYA — In a decisive session that has sparked intense debate across the region, the Busia County Assembly has unanimously rejected a motion seeking to rename Busia Stadium to “Raila Odinga Stadium.”
The motion, which aimed to honor the veteran opposition leader and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) chief, met fierce resistance from Member of County Assembly (MCAs).
The lawmakers argued that while Raila Odinga’s national contributions are undeniable, local landmarks should be reserved to celebrate heroes who have directly impacted the lives of Busia County residents.
Leading the pushback, Bukhayo Central MCA Zacchaeus Kubasu urged the house to look closer to home for inspiration. Kubasu proposed that the stadium instead be named after the pioneering academic and politician, the late Hon. Dr. Julia Ojiambo.
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“It is time we honor our own trailblazers,” Kubasu argued, pointing out a glaring historical omission: “To this day, no stadium in Kenya has ever been named after a woman. Dr. Ojiambo is a national icon who hails from this county, and bestowing this honor on her would set a progressive precedent for the entire country.”
Other MCAs echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that Busia boasts a rich history of sports legends, cultural icons, and political pioneers who remain unrecognized in their own backyard.
The lawmakers noted that honoring local legends would foster a sense of civic pride and inspire the youth of Busia to excel in various fields.
The unanimous rejection sends a clear message about the growing desire for devolution to reflect local identity rather than national political alignments.
For now, the stadium retains its original name, but the debate has thrown the spotlight firmly on how Kenya chooses to immortalize its heroes—and specifically, its heroines.
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