Friday, November 5, 2021 –Nairobians today woke up on news that Mbagathi Way had been renamed to Raila Odinga Way in honour of what Raila has contributed in and outside this country.
A road sign bearing the name of the opposition chief and also the Orange Democratic Movement Party boss was on Friday night of November 5 erected following a motion passed in the County Assembly of Nairobi pushing to rename the busy Highway.
This is happening just a week after the Assembly passed the motion to rename the highway in honour of the former Prime Minister touted as a key figure in the fight for multi-party democracy in the country.
Sources from the County Assembly of Nairobi revealed that the motion was passed in mid October and was purely sponsored by vocal Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok.
The MCA argued before the Assembly that it was wrong to wait until someone dies is when the government stars running up and down in honour of the late; saying it was a bad culture which ought to be reversed.
He defended the renaming of Mbagathi Way saying this was the only available opportunity Raila Odinga could be honoured before he retires home.
“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,” said Imwatok while moving the motion on the floor.
The lawmaker promised to hastily engage the city’s Deputy Governor Ann Kananu to ensure the process of renaming the road was realized.
Raila commissioned the construction of Mbagathi Way in 2005. It was constructed using concrete slabs, still going strong with no potholes or cracks 16 years later.
