The Nairobi Metropolitan Services has renamed Mbagathi Road to Raila Odinga Way, in honour of the former Prime Minister. The renaming of the road, which was done on Thursday, comes close to a month after Nairobi County Assembly passed a Motion endorsing the name change.

Last month, Minority Whip Peter Imwatok moved the Motion seeking to have the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader recognised for his contributions to the growth of the country by championing good governance, democratic ideals and development of infrastructure.

Mr Imwatok (Makongeni, ODM) noted that it was under the leadership of the former Lang'ata as Roads and Public Works minister in 2005 that plans to rebuild Mbagathi Way were mooted.

The second-term ward rep added that Mr Odinga has also fought for democracy, good governance, and the rule of law against many odds, leading to his detention without trial for 10 years.

"[We should] appreciate deserving leaders while they are still alive [rather than] when they die," said Mr Imwatok.

He said Mr Odinga had continued with his selfless service to the country by brokering peace between himself and both retired President Mwai Kibaki as well as incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta, which had seen him get international recognition.

Francis Atwoli

He further pointed out that Mr Odinga's development track record saw him recognised by the African Union by being appointed its high representative for infrastructure development.

"It pains me that people who didn't do anything to impact the society positively are being appreciated more than those who sacrificed including by giving their own life for the good of our country," Mr Imwatok added. 

Mr Odinga becomes the fourth prominent figure to have a road in Nairobi named after this year.

In March, Eastleigh First Avenue Lane was renamed Mohammed Yusuf Haji Avenue in honour of the former Garissa Senator who died in February.

Kapiti Crescent Road in South B was renamed in honour of football legend Joe Kadenge while Accra Road was renamed after "second liberation" hero Kenneth Matiba.

A Motion calling for the renaming of a road after a prominent person must first be passed by the County Assembly.

The Implementation Committee then writes to the county executive communicating the approval of the motion, which implements the request or rejects it.

In May, Governor Ann Kananu renamed Dik Dik Road in Kileleshwa after trade unionist Francis Atwoli. However, the move elicited condemnation with the signage being pulled down on several occasions because the law was not followed. By Collins Omulo, Daily Nation