Wamuzi News Ke
In a stunning reveal just hours before Madaraka Day, the Kenyan government has confirmed it splashed a jaw-dropping Sh500 million on the newly completed Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay — the grand stage for the country’s 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations.
This massive investment, nestled in the heart of Homa Bay County, is part of a bold move by the state to inject development into regions long starved of national attention. The 12,000-seater stadium — named after ODM leader Raila Odinga — is now being hailed as a game-changer, both politically and economically.
“This is not just a stadium — it’s a symbol of transformation,” declared Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura during a press briefing on Saturday. “Homa Bay is about to make history by hosting Madaraka Day for the first time ever, right here at the state-of-the-art Raila Odinga Stadium.”
Decked out with floodlights, natural grass, and modern terraces, the stadium has quickly become a point of pride for the lakeside county — and a centerpiece of national interest. The lavish cost, however, has sparked debate among critics who argue the money could have addressed more urgent needs in the region.
Security has been tightened, streets polished, and roads upgraded to meet bitumen standards. Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa assured the public that every detail has been accounted for.
“The nation is ready. Homa Bay is ready. This will be one for the books,” she said. “We’ve even constructed a dual carriageway from the Mbita diversion to ease access to the stadium.”
A new traffic management plan has also been launched, with designated parking spots and routing systems aimed at avoiding the kind of chaos seen at past public events.
While the nation prepares to mark six decades of self-rule, the spotlight is now firmly fixed on Homa Bay — and on whether the Sh500 million stadium will deliver value beyond its glitzy debut.
Is this an overdue investment in regional equity or a political spectacle dressed in concrete and grass? Only time will tell.
