Raila Odinga is a prominent Kenyan politician and leader, known for his long career in the country’s political landscape. He is the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a prominent independence leader and Kenya’s first Vice President.
Raila has run for the presidency several times, including in 1997, 2007, 2013, and 2017, and has been a key figure in shaping Kenyan politics, especially during times of political transition. His most notable political achievement was his involvement in the formation of the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) and later the National Super Alliance (NASA), opposition alliances aimed at challenging the political status quo.
Raila played a central role in the 2007–2008 post-election crisis, advocating for reforms in the electoral system and calling for peace after widespread violence followed a disputed election outcome. In 2018, he made a surprising political move by agreeing to a “Handshake” with President Uhuru Kenyatta, a reconciliation that led to the formation of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), aimed at promoting national unity and constitutional reforms.
Raila is also the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), a party that has been central to his political career. Though he has never officially won the presidency, he remains a key figure in Kenyan politics and is regarded as one of the country’s most influential leaders.
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