Nairobi Road Named After Raila

A road signage named after Raila Odinga by the Nairobi County on Friday, November 5
A road signage named after Raila Odinga by the Nairobi County on Friday, November 5
(Courtesy)

The Nairobi County has finally named Mbagathi Road after former Prime Minister and opposition leader, Raila Odinga.

Mbagathi Road was renamed to 'Raila Odinga Way' on Thursday, November 4.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Nairobi County Communication Director, Jacob Elkana, stated that Odinga deserved the honour having fought for Kenyans numerous times.

A road signage named after Raila Odinga by the Nairobi County on Friday, November 5
A road signage named after Raila Odinga by the Nairobi County on Friday, November 5
(Courtesy)

"He minds about Kenyans and as a County, it is our obligation to make it real and honour such leaders," Elkana stated.

The naming came weeks after the Nairobi County Assembly passed a motion to rename the road in his honour owing to his advocacy for multi-party democracy in Kenya.

Human Rights Activist, Boniface Mwangi, concurred with Elkana, saying that Odinga was a progressive idealist and an advocate for a better Kenya during his earlier years.

"He spent 10 years in custody because of advocating for democracy. For his service to this nation, he deserves a road, even an airport named after him. The older Raila is traitor to his younger self," Mwangi stated.

The renaming of the road came months after the renaming of Dik-Dik Road to Francis Atwoli Road at an event presided by Nairobi Deputy Governor, Anne Kananu.

The naming of the road sparked a debate on social media on whether or not the COTU Secretary General deserved to be immortalized or not.

Activist Boniface Mwangi vowed that he would remove the signage and accused Atwoli of violating the constitution.

“I came from the womb of a brave woman. If that sign is still up when l come back home (from an overseas trip), l shall personally remove it. 

"Atwoli, you have violated Chapter 6 of the Constitution on integrity. Installing a camera to guard a road sign is a waste of our taxes to please your fat ego.”

The road signage was brought down just a day after it was erected but was re-erected by the deputy-governor Ann Kananu-led administration two days later.

Naming roads after prominent people is not a new spectacle and has been done over the years to honor individuals for their individual attributes and their contributions to the country.

Photo of Francis Atwoli road sign made by youths taken on June 22, 2021.
Photo of Francis Atwoli road sign made by youths taken on June 22, 2021.
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