How Raila convinced Uhuru to rename City Stadium after Joe Kadenge

Raila Odinga arrives at All Saints Cathedral for Joe Kadenge's fundraiser [Courtesy]

Nairobi’s City Stadium will be renamed after the late Kenyan football icon Joe Kadenge.

Kadenge passed on at the Meridian Hospital in Nairobi on Sunday, July 7 after a lengthy battle with stroke.

Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday, June 16, was accompanied by Amani National Congress head Musalia Mudavadi to a fundraiser at All Saints Cathedral – purposed specifically to raise funds to help foot the bill of Kadenge’s burial.

During his speech, Raila revealed he engaged President Uhuru Kenyatta on renaming Nairobi’s City Stadium after the now-departed legend.

“Joe was a legend and that is why I proposed to President Kenyatta on the possibility of renaming City Stadium in his honour,” he said.

Raila contributed Sh1 million [Courtesy]

He also highlighted following the President’s orders, Kadenge’s South B home would be handed to his family, with Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to see through the paperwork.

“It was Joe’s wish that the house in Mariakani estate be handed over to him and that wish was granted by the President,” Raila added.

Kadenge’s family had earlier appealed for funds from well-wishers, estimating the full budget to be Sh5 million.

“I have talked to President Uhuru Kenyatta on the renaming of City Stadium to Joe Kadenge Stadium. Both of us have spoken with Governor Mike Sonko on the matter,” the ODM leader posted on Twitter.

The former Premier contributed Sh1 million, with President Uhuru Kenyatta also donating out a similar amount. Governor Sonko also contributed Sh1 million, with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi giving out Sh150,000.

Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris contributed Sh50,000, with COTU boss Francis Atwoli, Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna donating Sh200,000, Sh100,000 and Sh50,000 respectively.

Regarded as the FINEST footballer ever produced by Kenya, Kadenge played for Maragoli United and scored the fastest ever goal in the Kenyan Premier League.

The legend played for Abaluyha United and won the Kenya Premier League in 1966.

This was after he made a comeback to football after hanging his boots in 1965, guiding Harambee Stars to win the inaugural East and Central Africa Challenge Cup.

In 1970, Kadenge stepped down as a player and went into coaching and was later appointed the national team’s head coach.

Kadenge was named Harambee Stars coach in 2002 before suffering a stroke in 2006.

He will be buried on Saturday, July 20, in Soliani Village, Vihiga County.