Gachagua Questions Ruto’s Spending on Raila Odinga International Stadium

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has criticised President William Ruto’s government over the huge amount of public money being spent on the construction of Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City.

Gachagua questioned whether naming the facility after the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga would help the president win support from the former ODM leader’s supporters ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to the former deputy president, the government should not assume that honouring Raila through the stadium would automatically persuade his supporters, including football enthusiasts, to support Ruto politically.

“Ruto thinks that if he does that, the supporters of Raila Odinga, who are football fans, will support him,” Gachagua said.

He added that some Kenyans remained committed to the political slogan “Wantam,” suggesting that the stadium project would not necessarily change their political loyalties.

The DCP leader also questioned the decision to have foreign football teams feature among the first sides to play at a facility built using substantial public resources.

Gachagua argued that local clubs and Kenya’s national team, Harambee Stars, should have received priority during the planning of the stadium’s opening activities.

“People are asking, how can foreign teams be the first ones to play in a stadium that has cost us an enormous fortune? Don’t we have local teams?” he posed.

He suggested that the government could instead have invited a prominent European club to face Harambee Stars, providing Kenyan players with an opportunity to compete against international opposition on home soil.

His remarks have added to the ongoing debate about the government’s development priorities, public expenditure and the political significance of naming the stadium after Raila.

The project has also drawn attention to the need for major sports investments to deliver lasting benefits to Kenyan football, including improved opportunities for local clubs, players and supporters.

Gachagua’s criticism comes as political leaders continue positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with development projects increasingly featuring in discussions about government performance and political support.

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