A proposal to rename the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Kapsabet after President William Ruto has drawn criticism from former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando, highlighting tensions between honoring national heroes and political figures in Kenya.
The announcement was made by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who cited logistical reasons for the change.
Governor Sang explained that the stadium’s current name created confusion with the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
“Because we have Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret and ours is also named Kipchoge Keino, we decided to change ours to William Ruto Stadium here in Kapsabet.
Sometimes a project is meant for Nandi but ends up in Eldoret because the identical names cause confusion,” he told journalists.
He noted that Kenya has a history of naming stadiums after prominent leaders, referencing Moi Stadium and Raila Odinga Stadium.
“We will name ours William Ruto Stadium because he has done the construction job for us,” Sang added.
Kabando wa Kabando, who served as Assistant Minister for Sports between 2008 and 2013, rejected the proposal, emphasizing the international legacy of Kipchoge Keino.
According to Kabando, Keino’s contributions extend beyond national borders, with global recognition in athletic circles.
“I had privileged opportunities to witness the global iconic stature of legendary Olympian Kipchoge Keino. Even royals and dignitaries queued to meet him,” Kabando told the media.
He described the renaming plan as undermining the respect due to national sports heroes.
The discussion over renaming the stadium comes amid broader debates in Kenya about the politicization of public infrastructure.
Naming public facilities after political leaders has been a recurring trend, with past examples including Moi Stadium in Kisumu and Raila Odinga Stadium in Siaya, raising questions about preserving historical legacies versus honoring contemporary figures