By Habil Onyango
President William Ruto fulfilled his pledge to the residents of Homa Bay County by upgrading and expanding Raila Odinga Stadium.
On Monday, President Ruto made the pledge a reality after the Ministry of Sports officially handed over the Raila Odinga Stadium to Sports Kenya and the Madaraka Day celebration committee in preparation for the national celebration scheduled for June 1st.
The stadium has undergone significant upgrades, expanding from a 2,000 to a 12,000-seat capacity and now includes essential facilities.
In December of last year, President William Ruto directed the Ministry to allocate Sh. 500 million for the refurbishment of the stadium, with funds sourced from the national sports fund.
According to Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, the renovations were already 99 percent complete.
“I am pleased that we are gathered here today to hand over the facility to the Madaraka Day celebration committee, led by the Internal Security Principal Secretary, Dr. Raymond Omollo, and Sports Kenya,” Mvurya stated during the handover ceremony.
“In December, President William Ruto instructed the Ministry to upgrade the stadium in preparation for the Madaraka Day celebration,” he added. “The refurbishment is almost complete, and we expect the remaining work will be finished before Sunday.”
Mvurya emphasized that the improvements made to the facility are not solely for the upcoming celebrations but will also accommodate other sporting activities once the event is over.
“This ceremony allows the committee to use the facility for Madaraka Day celebrations; however, we are committed to preparing the stadium for future sporting events, which will resume after this weekend,” he explained.
Mvurya was accompanied by Petroleum and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Dr. Omollo, and was hosted by Governor Gladys Wanga.
Among those in attendance were Homa Bay Deputy Governor Oyugi Mgawanga and Members of Parliament Opondo Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), Lilian Gogo (Rangwe), Adipo Okwome (Karachuonyo), Carolly Omondi (Suba South), and Bensuda Osogo (County Woman Representative).
Governor Wanga expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for his support and for selecting Homa Bay to host this year’s Madaraka Day celebration.
Wanga stated that the upgrades have transformed ROSH into more than just a venue for celebrations; it is now a central hub for sports development.
“I want to thank President William Ruto for his guidance in improving our stadium’s standards and for choosing Homa Bay, the County of Endless Potential, to host this year’s celebrations,” she said.
“The transformation that has taken place feels miraculous,” Wanga added.
“This facility will not only be used for the Madaraka Day celebrations; it will also support various sporting activities moving forward, starting with Sunday’s Premier League match between Gor Mahia and their arch-rivals AFC Leopards,” she continued.
“ROSH will serve not only as a venue for national celebrations but will also provide platforms for talent development, grassroots competitions, and community recreation,” she emphasized.
