15/10/2026
Raila Odinga's 1 st Anniversary.
Today I will talk about the greatest statesman Kenya has ever seen, a man who put the country above his own interests - none other than Raila Amolo Odinga, Baba.
Many politicians love power. Raila loved Kenya more than power.
He chose democracy over comfort.
Raila could have taken an easy path. He was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the first Vice President. He was educated, an engineer. But he chose to fight for multiparty democracy in the 80s and 90s. He was detained for 8 years, tortured, and exiled. Most people would have quit. He did not, because Kenya was bigger than his suffering.
He chose peace over revenge.
In 2007/2008, Kenya was burning after the disputed election. The country was on the edge. Raila had a strong claim, his supporters were angry. But when Kofi Annan brought mediation, Raila agreed to a power-sharing deal and became Prime Minister. He chose peace over "I must be President now." That decision saved lives.
In 2018, after another bitter election in 2017, he did it again. He shocked the world when he shook hands with President Uhuru Kenyatta - his rival. People in his own party called him a traitor. But he said, "I am ready to be misunderstood if Kenya gets peace." The Handshake calmed the country.
In 2024, when Gen Z protests shook President Ruto's government, many expected Raila to take advantage. He instead said, "If Ruto goes, what next? Kenya is bigger than any individual." He chose stability over political gain.
He chose Kenya's future over his own presidency.
Raila ran for president five times - 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2022 - and never made it to State House as President. Yet every time he lost, he came back to fight for reforms: devolution, the 2010 Constitution, free speech, justice for the poor. He never said, "If not me, let Kenya burn."
That is what a statesman does. A politician thinks about the next election. A statesman thinks about the next generation.
Raila Amolo Odinga was born in 1945 and rested on October 15, 2025 in India. He never became President, but he became something bigger - the conscience of the nation.
He taught us one lesson: You can lose an election and still win for your country.
Long live Baba
Kenya Misses you So much
UNITED We STAND