The national government has allocated Ksh 30 million towards the construction of a monument honoring the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Nairobi.
The initiative, which will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Sports and Culture in partnership with the Odinga family, marks a significant step in memorializing one of Kenya’s most prominent political figures.
On Thursday, Raila Odinga Jr met with government officials and engineers to review architectural designs for both the monument and his father’s mausoleum in the capital city.
“We held a comprehensive review of the architectural designs and development plans for Baba’s Mausoleum together with Hon. Ummi Bashir, CBS, Principal Secretary for Culture, Arts and Heritage, alongside the architectural team from the National Museums of Kenya and architects from the Ministry of Works,” Raila Odinga Jr said in a statement.
The project comes in response to widespread public demand for a permanent tribute to the late leader, whose political career spanned decades and left an indelible mark on Kenya’s democratic journey.
Last year, a section of the Asian community in Kenya formally appealed to the Nairobi City County to approve the construction of a statue in Raila’s honor.
Led by former Parklands MCA Jayendra Malde, the community described the proposed monument as “a national symbol of democracy, unity, and patriotism” – values that defined Raila’s political legacy.
In their proposal to State House and City Hall, the group outlined plans for a life-size statue depicting the late Prime Minister in his characteristic grey suit and red-and-white striped tie, with his right hand raised in his trademark salute.
The monument is expected to be positioned at a prominent public site within the Nairobi Central Business District, ensuring accessibility to all Kenyans who wish to pay their respects.
Civil society groups and supporters across the country have also joined the chorus calling for the construction of the memorial, underscoring Raila Odinga’s enduring influence on Kenya’s political landscape.
