As the country marks its 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations in the lakeside town of Homa Bay, the government has revealed the amount spent on constructing the newly unveiled Raila Odinga stadium – the centrepiece of this year’s national holiday festivities.
The government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, has revealed that the state spent Ksh500 million on constructing the facility in Homa Bay town.
The stadium, which seats 12,000 and bears the name of long-time opposition leader Raila Odinga, is being hailed as a symbol of devolution’s promise and President William Ruto’s push to showcase development in historically marginalised regions.
“As we stand on the cusp of the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations, it is with great pride and anticipation that we gather in Homa Bay County, a region poised to make history by hosting this significant national event for the first time at the newly commissioned Raila Odinga Stadium,” Isaac Mwaura said during a press briefing held at Tom Mboya University on Saturday May 31, 2025.
“The modern 12,000-seater facility stands as a testament to the transformative power of devolution and the government’s commitment to equitable development across Kenya,” he added.
Mwaura further stated that the Ksh500 million stadium is equipped with modern amenities designed to support local sports and community events.
“The Raila Odinga Stadium, constructed at a cost of Ksh500 million, now features modern terraces, a natural turf, and floodlights, serving as a hub for sports and community events,” he said.
The transformation of the once modest facility into a region-leading stadium has been spearheaded by the national government, with construction works overseen by Sports Kenya and finalised under the Ministry of Sports.
The project was formally completed and handed over to the National Celebrations Steering Committee on May 26, 2025, by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
Originally constructed by the Homa Bay County Government with only a VIP pavilion in place, the stadium underwent significant upgrades to accommodate both national ceremonies and high-stakes sporting events.
Key enhancements included the construction of concrete spectator terraces encircling the pitch, expanding seating capacity to 12,000.
Madaraka Day
Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay is poised to take centre stage in the country’s national spotlight this weekend, hosting back-to-back major events that underscore its emergence as a premier sporting and ceremonial venue.
On Sunday, June 1, 2025, the stadium will serve as the site of this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations, a national holiday commemorating the country’s attainment of self-rule in 1963.
Slovenian President Pirc Musar, who is on a historic state visit to Kenya, will be the guest of honour at Madaraka Day celebrations in Homa Bay.
Less than 24 hours later, the same venue will host one of the country’s most storied football rivalries – the Mashemeji Derby – pitting Gor Mahia against archrivals AFC Leopards.
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