When Mazembe grounds roared: Nakuru’s unforgettable love affair with Raila Odinga

If the Mazembe Grounds in Kaptembwa could narrate the tales of how it roared to life whenever the late former prime minister, Raila Odinga, graced it with his presence, it would be one of the most prolific stories ever told.

During presidential campaigns, the grounds served as the culmination of rallies whenever Odinga came to Nakuru, and he was always given an exceptional reception by the locals.

June 5, 2022 was one such day. As a young man growing up in Nakuru, I attended the rally, and even before the arrival, the excitement in the air was palpable. Helicopters were circling, perhaps looking for a place to land, while the song 'Leo ni Leo' played on repeat in the background, prompting the crowd to dance with increasing joy with each repetition.

Soon enough, the former prime minister and his entourage arrived. If you thought the crowds could not get any louder, you were wrong. The moment they caught sight of 'Baba', all hell broke loose amid cheers, chants, ululations and screams.

Angira Janyakach, a Nakuru resident, says that Baba always favoured the Mazembe Grounds.

"After Nakuru Town Constituency was split into Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West, NTW emerged as an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) stronghold. This was evident in the fact that even the current Member of Parliament, Samuel Arama, won the seat with an ODM ticket," he says.

Angira also notes that most of those in NTW are die-hard Raila supporters.
"Whenever Raila came to the Mazembe Grounds, he felt like he was at home. I would compare it to him holding a rally at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu. The crowds were very fired up, and Baba always matched their energy. Over the course of his political career, Kaptembwa and the Mazembe Grounds specifically became a second home to him,” he says.

Peter Kajwang, the Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Kaptembwa, agrees with Angira and says that NTW has always been a stronghold of Baba for the longest time.

“Whenever news came that Raila was coming to Nakuru, there was palpable excitement, particularly among those in NTW. He would always tour Nakuru, and it all culminated at the Mazembe Grounds,” he says.

The legislator says that the former prime minister had an undeniable influence in the constituency.

"Voters in NTW always came out in large numbers to vote for him. This was the one constituency where Baba always received a high number of votes. Apart from Olkaria in Naivasha, NTW was one of Baba's strongholds,” he notes.

The late former prime minister passed away on October 15, 2025.