Symbolic Naming in Njiru

Residents of Kamatuto Estate in Njiru, Kasarani Constituency, have taken the initiative to unofficially rename a local road in honour of the late former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga. On Sunday, 26th October 2025, a group led by local leaders and boda boda operators erected a sign christening a 3-kilometre stretch of road connecting Kangundo Road to Mwiki as "Raila Odinga Road".

The chairman of the Njiru Residents Association, identified as Choke Goricha, stated the community's decision was a gesture of deep respect for Odinga's legacy. "Today, together with the residents of Njiru, we have decided that we will remember Baba by naming this road after him," a local leader announced during the unveiling. The residents' motivation is deeply rooted in local history; they credit Odinga with advocating for the establishment of the nearby Obama Estate, which provided land for formerly landless people from the area, including Dandora. "When Raila Odinga united with the late Daniel Moi, he pushed to have Obama Estate, which settled all the squatters who didn't have a place to live," one resident told reporters on Sunday.

A Call for Development and Further Tributes

The newly named road is currently in a state of disrepair, and the residents have coupled their tribute with a direct appeal to the government. They are calling upon Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Kasarani MP Ronald Karauri, and President William Ruto to tarmac the road and install streetlights, arguing that upgrading it would be a fitting monument to Odinga and would significantly boost the local economy by improving connectivity. "We are asking our MP, the Governor, and the President to pave this road and install street lighting. We hope that one day they will come to officially launch it," a resident stated.

Beyond the road naming, the Kasarani community also announced ambitions to erect a statue of the late leader in the area as a more permanent memorial. This local initiative is part of a broader wave of efforts to commemorate the former Prime Minister, who passed away on 15th October 2025.

Official Procedures vs. Public Acclamation

While the residents' action is a powerful symbolic statement, it stands in contrast to the formal procedures for naming and renaming roads within the capital. The Nairobi City County has an official framework, the Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2021 on the Nairobi City County Property Addressing and Street Naming Policy. This policy outlines a transparent and structured process intended to guide such decisions, typically involving a motion being passed by the County Assembly before any official changes are ratified by the executive wing.

There has been no official statement from the office of Governor Johnson Sakaja or the Nairobi County Assembly acknowledging or validating the residents' renaming of the road in Kasarani. This leaves the name "Raila Odinga Road" in Njiru in an unofficial capacity. The situation draws a parallel with the official renaming of Mbagathi Way to Raila Odinga Way in November 2021, which followed a formal motion sponsored by Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok and was approved by the county assembly.

Separate Proposals for a Statue

The desire for a statue in Kasarani is echoed by a more formal proposal from another quarter. A section of the Kenyan Asian community, led by former Parklands MCA Jayendra Malde, is formally petitioning Governor Sakaja and President Ruto for permission to erect a grand, fully-funded statue of Raila Odinga in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD). Malde stated on Sunday, 26th October 2025, that the community would send a formal letter to the authorities to request a site for the monument, intended to honour Odinga as a champion of justice and national unity. As of Wednesday, 29th October 2025, this proposal is awaiting an official response from the county and national governments. These parallel efforts—one a grassroots action, the other a formal petition—underscore the widespread public sentiment to create lasting memorials for a figure who profoundly shaped Kenya's modern political landscape.