Raila Amolo Odinga, born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Kenya, is one of Kenya’s most influential politicians and a central figure in the nation’s democratic journey. Of Luo descent, Odinga is the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President after independence, and Mary Juma Odinga. His father was a key ally of President Jomo Kenyatta before becoming one of the earliest voices of opposition in post-independence Kenya — a political legacy that profoundly shaped Raila’s worldview.
Odinga studied mechanical engineering in East Germany, earning a Master’s degree in 1970. Upon returning to Kenya, he lectured at the University of Nairobi and later ventured into business, founding East African Spectre Ltd, a company specializing in gas cylinders. His career at the Kenya Bureau of Standards, where he rose to deputy director in 1978, marked his transition from academia to public service.
Detention and Entry into Politics
Raila’s political activism began in the late 1970s when he supported reform movements calling for multiparty democracy. In 1982, he was accused of involvement in a coup attempt against then-President Daniel arap Moi and detained without trial for six years. Upon release, he continued to push for political change, leading to further arrests in the late 1980s for campaigning against one-party rule.
In 1991, facing persecution, Odinga fled to Norway but returned the following year to participate in Kenya’s first multiparty elections. He was elected as Member of Parliament for Lang’ata under the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya (FORD–K), a party led by his father. After Jaramogi’s death in 1994, internal wrangles split the party, leading Odinga to form the National Development Party (NDP) in 1996.
Rise to Prominence and Alliance Politics
Odinga’s influence grew rapidly. He contested the 1997 presidential election under the NDP banner and finished third but retained his parliamentary seat. Later, he joined President Moi’s cabinet as Minister for Energy and became Secretary-General of KANU after his party merged with the ruling party. However, when Moi endorsed Uhuru Kenyatta as his preferred successor in 2002, Odinga led a rebellion within KANU and helped form the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The LDP allied with Mwai Kibaki’s National Alliance Party of Kenya (NAK) to form the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC). Their unity ended KANU’s long rule in the 2002 general elections, with Kibaki elected president. Odinga’s energetic campaigning, especially after Kibaki was injured in a car accident before the polls, was seen as instrumental in the coalition’s victory.
However, disagreements over power-sharing led to the collapse of the NARC alliance. Odinga opposed a proposed constitution that consolidated presidential powers, and when the 2005 referendum rejected the draft, Kibaki dismissed him from the cabinet. Odinga responded by forming the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The 2007 Elections and National Crisis
In the 2007 elections, Odinga ran for president against Kibaki. Early results showed him leading, but when the Electoral Commission of Kenya declared Kibaki the winner, Odinga alleged massive fraud. The disputed results triggered post-election violence that left over 1,000 people dead and 600,000 displaced.
A peace deal brokered by Kofi Annan and the African Union resulted in a coalition government in 2008, with Kibaki as President and Odinga appointed Prime Minister. This marked the first time Kenya had a power-sharing arrangement at the top. Despite internal tensions, Odinga helped oversee key reforms, including the passage of the 2010 Constitution, which introduced devolution and reduced presidential powers.
Subsequent Presidential Bids
Raila Odinga remained a dominant political force and contested the presidency several times thereafter. In 2013, he ran under the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) but lost narrowly to Uhuru Kenyatta, accepting the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the results despite citing irregularities.
He made another attempt in 2017 under the National Super Alliance (NASA). The Supreme Court later nullified Kenyatta’s victory, citing irregularities — a historic first in Africa. However, Odinga boycotted the repeat election, claiming the process remained compromised.
In January 2018, he symbolically swore himself in as the “People’s President,” a move that strained relations with the state. Yet, in March 2018, he shocked the nation when he and President Kenyatta publicly reconciled through the famous “Handshake.” This truce led to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a program meant to unite Kenyans and reform governance structures.
2022 Elections and Current Role
In the 2022 general elections, Odinga ran for president under the Azimio la Umoja coalition, backed by President Kenyatta and several political parties. His running mate was Martha Karua, marking a historic gender milestone. Odinga narrowly lost to William Ruto, who garnered 50.49% of the vote against his 48.85%. He rejected the results and filed a petition at the Supreme Court, which upheld Ruto’s victory.
Despite the outcome, Odinga accepted the ruling, stating, “We respect the court but disagree with its findings.” His continued advocacy for electoral reforms and social justice cements his role as Kenya’s longest-serving opposition leader.
Legacy and Influence
Raila Odinga’s political career, spanning over five decades, mirrors Kenya’s struggle for democracy and reform. A seasoned statesman, he has been imprisoned, exiled, and yet has continually shaped the country’s political landscape. Known affectionately as “Baba,” Odinga remains a symbol of resilience and an enduring voice for constitutionalism, equity, and inclusion in Kenya’s governance.
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