• By law, a motion to rename a road must first be passed by the assembly.
• When Dik Dik Road was renamed after trade unionist Francis Atwoli, it was pulled down, set ablaze and reconstructed several times.
Image: FILE
Mbagathi Way will be renamed Raila Odinga Road after MCAs passed a motion to do so.
It will be the fourth road to be renamed this year in Nairobi county.
On Tuesday, Nairobi MCAs passed a motion calling for renaming Mbagathi Way after ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Minority Whip Peter Imwatok introduced the motion, saying deserving leaders should be recognised while they are alive, not when they die.
He said Raila, a presidential aspirant, has greatly improved the democratic and economic development of Kenya.
"He fought during this period for greater democratic space, good governance, rule of law and development of infrastructure against many odds, including detention without trial for 10 years,” Imwatok said.
After the motion was adopted, Imwatok, who is the Makongeni MCA, said he will engage the executive to initiative the renaming process.
"I will personally engage with the deputy governor to see the renaming of Mbagathi Way," he said.
Nominated MCA Mary Arivisa suggested that other social amenities around Mbagathi Way should also be renamed.
"We had written to the Ministry to rename the Mbagathi Primary School Raila Odinga primary school but it was a challenge since it was named after the road. Now that the road name will be changed, it shouldn't be a problem," she said.
In the assembly, the implementation committee will now inform the executive of the approved motion. The executive will approve or reject the motion.
This year, three roads have been renamed after motions being approved by the county assembly
In March, Eastleigh First Avenue lane was renamed Mohammed Yusuf Haji Avenue in honour of the Garissa senator who died in February.
Kapiti Crescent Road in South B was renamed after football legend Joe Kadenge and Accra road was renamed after former Ford Asili party leader Kenneth Matiba (deceased).
In May, Nairobi Deputy Governor Ann Kananu renamed Dik Dik Road in Kileleshwa after Francis Atwoli, the veteran trade unionist.
However, the post bearing Atwoli’s name was pulled down several times, tyres were thrown around it and set ablaze.
(Edited by V. Graham)