Raila Odinga is a prominent Kenyan political leader and one of the most influential figures in the country’s political landscape. Born on January 7, 1945, he is the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President. Raila has had a long and eventful political career, marked by his advocacy for democracy, his role in Kenya’s political reforms, and his multiple bids for the presidency.
Early Life and Background
Raila Odinga was born in Maseno, Kisumu District, and comes from the Luo ethnic community. He studied in Kenya and later went to Germany, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Magdeburg University of Technology. After returning to Kenya, he worked in various positions, including at the Kenya Bureau of Standards, before venturing fully into politics.
Political Career
1. Detention and Fight for Multiparty Democracy:
Raila’s political journey gained prominence in the 1980s when he was involved in the push for multiparty democracy in Kenya. He was accused of being part of the 1982 attempted coup against then-President Daniel arap Moi’s government. As a result, he was detained without trial for six years from 1982 to 1988. He was detained again in 1990 and released in 1991, becoming a leading figure in the struggle to end the one-party rule in Kenya.
2. Formation of Opposition Parties:
In the 1990s, Raila became a key leader in the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), a major opposition party. He later joined FORD-Kenya, led by his father, but after internal disagreements, he formed the National Development Party (NDP). In the 1997 elections, Raila contested for the presidency but came in third.
3. Merger with KANU and Political Realignment:
In 2001, Raila merged his NDP party with KANU, the ruling party at the time, and was appointed Minister for Energy under President Moi. However, when Moi chose Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor ahead of the 2002 elections, Raila and other key figures broke away from KANU and formed the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which successfully backed Mwai Kibaki for president. Raila played a key role in this victory with the famous declaration, “Kibaki Tosha.”
4. Constitutional Reforms and the 2005 Referendum:
In 2005, Raila opposed a proposed constitution that was supported by President Kibaki’s government. Raila’s faction, which came to be known as the “Orange” group, won the referendum, marking a split in the government. This eventually led to the formation of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Raila’s current party.
5. 2007 Elections and Post-Election Violence:
Raila contested the 2007 presidential election against incumbent Mwai Kibaki. The election was marred by allegations of rigging and manipulation, and the disputed results led to widespread post-election violence, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 people and the displacement of many others. To resolve the crisis, a power-sharing agreement was brokered by the international community, and Raila became the Prime Minister of Kenya in 2008, a position he held until 2013.
6. Subsequent Presidential Campaigns (2013, 2017, 2022):
Raila has run for the presidency multiple times, including in 2013 and 2017, but was unsuccessful. In the 2017 election, Raila and his supporters challenged the results in court, and the Supreme Court annulled the election, ordering a fresh one. However, Raila boycotted the re-run, and Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.
In 2022, Raila Odinga ran for president again under the “Azimio la Umoja” coalition, with President Uhuru Kenyatta endorsing him. His main opponent, William Ruto, eventually won the election. Raila again challenged the results but the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s win.
7. The “Handshake” with Uhuru Kenyatta:
In March 2018, after months of political tension following the 2017 election, Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta surprised the nation by publicly reconciling in what became known as the “Handshake.” This marked the beginning of political cooperation between the two leaders, leading to initiatives like the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), aimed at addressing historical grievances and political reforms in Kenya. Although the BBI process was popular among Raila’s supporters, it faced legal challenges and was eventually stopped by the courts.
Personal Life
Raila Odinga is married to Ida Odinga, and they have four children. His son, Fidel Odinga, passed away in 2015. His daughter, Winnie Odinga, has also emerged as a political figure in her own right. Raila is known for his populist style and has a significant following, particularly in his home region of Nyanza and among other communities advocating for political change in Kenya.
Legacy and Influence
Raila Odinga remains one of Kenya’s most significant and resilient political leaders, with a legacy tied to his fight for democracy, constitutional reforms, and advocacy for social justice. Despite never having served as president, his impact on Kenya’s political and social fabric is undeniable. Many see him as a reformist and a champion for marginalized communities.
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