Mbagathi Way Is Now Raila Odinga Way

The County Government of Nairobi has on Friday, November 5, 2021, officially renamed Mbagathi way, Raila Odinga Way. A road sign bearing the name of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader was erected on Thursday night.

This move comes a few weeks after the Nairobi County assembly passed a motion approving the renaming of Mbagathi Way to Raila Odinga Way on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

“Raila fought for a greater democratic space, good governance, rule of law and development of infrastructure against innumerable odds, including detention without trial for 10 years,” Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok, said then.

Peter Imwatok, who is also the Minority Whip, introduced the motion, saying deserving leaders should be recognized while they are still alive, not when they die.

“He fought for greater democratic space, good governance, rule of law, and development of infrastructure against many odds, including detention without trial for 10 years,” added Imwatok while moving the motion.

This is among the recent roads that have been renamed in honor of Kenyan leaders. Others include Accra Road which was renamed Keneth Matiba Road and Dik Dik Road which was renamed Francis Atwoli Road at an event that was attended by Nairobi Deputy Governor, Anne Kananu.

Nominated MCA Mary Arivisa earlier on said that the city leadership and the executive should also consider renaming public institutions after Odinga.

“We had written to the Ministry to rename Mbagathi Primary School to Raila Odinga Primary School but it was a challenge since it was named after the road. Now that the name of the road will be changed, it shouldn’t be a problem,” she said.

While a section of Kenyans has questioned why the Road had to be renamed after the former Prime Minister, many have welcomed it, citing that he has done well as a leader.