Nairobi MCAs pass motion to immortalise Raila with CBD monument

Nairobi County Assembly has passed a special motion seeking to erect a monument for former Prime Minister, the late Raila Odinga, in the City Centre.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) unanimously voted to approve the motion sponsored by Nairobi West MCA John Rex Omolleh of ODM.

Omolleh had initially wanted the monument to be erected in Uhuru Park, but later amended his motion to have it at the roundabout outside the Supreme Court along City Hall Way.

While moving the motion, Omolleh said the former Premier, who passed on in October last year in India, deserves a special place in the annals of history as a recognition for his outstanding sacrifice and service to the public.

In the citation, the City legislator said Kenya has a historical tradition by both the National Government and formerly local authorities, now counties, to not only extend honours to her heroes in the form of medals but also by renaming roads and other public facilities after them.

He observed that the late Raila had, for the entire period of his adult life, greatly impacted the development of the Kenyan State both democratically and economically by fighting for greater democratic space, good governance, rule of law and development of infrastructure.

"Now therefore, this Assembly urges the Nairobi City County Executive, in conjunction with the relevant National Government Agency, to establish a Monument at a strategic place in honour of the late Raila Odinga at the Supreme Court Roundabout,” the MCA’s motion read in part.

He said that in 2005, as the Minister for Roads and Public Works, Raila conceived, planned and implemented masterpiece infrastructure such as the Thika Super Highway, Eastern Bypass and Southern Bypass, which have since proved to be the most durable roads ever constructed in Kenya.

Omolleh said late Raila is recognised as he was a vital player in the birth of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, which led to devolution of governance in Kenya.

“His actions of shaking hands with the former President, the late President Mwai Kibaki, President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Samoei Ruto led to the restoration of peace and harmony in Kenya, especially during the post-election violence in 2008 and Gen-Z protests in 2024,” the Nairobi West MCA added.

He added that the African Union (AU) had appointed the late Raila as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development in recognition of his role in development.