By Ben Leshau
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has urged the Narok County Assembly to initiate the process of renaming the newly-refurbished Narok stadium William ole Ntimama.
Ntimama, who died in September 2016, was a legendary politician and a defender of the Maasai rights who served as the chairman of the defunct Narok County Council for 15years and another 25 years as an MP.
He also served in different ministerial positions under Presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki.
Speaking during the burial of the former TLB Chairman Hassan ole Kamwaro, Raila said the late politician should be honored through naming the stadium William ole Ntimama.
Mr Odinga was responding to a plea by the late politician’s daughter Lydiah Ntimama who asked him to intervene because of the efforts he made in fighting for the rights of the community.
“My dad was a Maasai king. He fought relentlessly for the land rights and the protection of the Mau forest and he should be honored by renaming Narok Stadium after him,” appealed Ms Ntimama.
The debate on the renaming of the stadium arose few months ago in the County Assembly, when culture committee Chairperson Ms Christine Lemein tabled the proposal whose debate turned chaotic with some MCAs opposing the move.
Among those who opposed the renaming of the stadium include the Ololung’a MCA Jefferson Lang’at who claimed that the current name should be retained.
“In as much as Ntimama fought for the rights of the community, not everybody was impressed with him. The Narok Stadium should remain as it is,” said Mr Lang’at.
The matter was however referred to the assembly’s legal committee for consideration.
Interior CAS Patrick Ntutu has supported the renaming saying leaders resolved to honour the late long-serving Narok North MP.
“We had discussed it and this should be done in the next one month,” said Mr Ntutu.
The20,000 capacity Narok Stadium got a facelift to host this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.