28/01/2025
Raila Odinga (born January 7, 1945) is a Kenyan politician and one of the most prominent figures in the country's post-independence politics. Often referred to as "Agwambo" (a Luo nickname meaning "mysterious one") or "Baba" ("father" in Swahili), he has been a central player in Kenya's democratic struggles and electoral politics for decades. Here's an overview of his career and influence:
# # # **Political Career**
- **Prime Minister of Kenya (2008–2013):** Odinga served as Prime Minister in a power-sharing government with President Mwai Kibaki after the disputed 2007 presidential election, which triggered widespread violence. This arrangement was part of the National Accord mediated by Kofi Annan.
- **Opposition Leader:** He has run for president five times (1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2022), positioning himself as a champion of reform and a critic of government corruption and inequality.
- **Party Affiliations:** He co-founded the National Development Party (NDP) and later led the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which emerged from the 2005 referendum campaign against a proposed constitution. The ODM remains a major opposition party.
# # # **Key Elections & Controversies**
- **2007 Election:** His loss to Kibaki sparked ethnic violence, leading to over 1,000 deaths. The crisis ended with the formation of the coalition government.
- **2017 Election:** He contested President Uhuru Kenyatta's victory, leading the Supreme Court to annul the results—a historic first in Africa. The rerun election was boycotted by Odinga, who declared a "People's President" swearing-in ceremony in 2018.
- **2022 Election:** Odinga lost to William Ruto in a closely fought race. He rejected the results but the Supreme Court upheld Ruto's victory.
# # # **The "Handshake" & BBI**
- In 2018, Odinga and Kenyatta surprised the nation by reconciling in a truce dubbed "the Handshake," ending years of rivalry. This led to the **Building Bridges Initiative (BBI)**, a constitutional reform effort aimed at reducing ethnic tensions. However, the BBI was blocked by the courts in 2021 for procedural irregularities.
# # # **Personal Background**
- **Family:** Son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya's first vice president and a key independence leader. The Odinga family is part of the Luo ethnic community.
- **Education:** Trained as a mechanical engineer in East Germany, he later worked in academia and industry before entering politics.
- **Detention:** Imprisoned for six years (1982–1988) without trial by President Daniel arap Moi's regime for alleged involvement in a coup attempt. He became a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism.
# # # **Legacy**
- Odinga is celebrated for his role in Kenya's pro-democracy movement, including advocating for multi-party politics in the 1990s.
- Critics argue his populist rhetoric and alliance shifts reflect pragmatic rather than ideological politics.
- His influence persists despite electoral losses, and he remains a key figure in Kenya's quest for equitable development and institutional reforms.
In 2023, Odinga was appointed the African Union's High Representative for Infrastructure Development, signaling his continued regional prominence. His next political moves—including potential future presidential bids—remain a focal point in Kenyan politics.
