- Raila Odinga, the son of Kenya’s first Vice President, was born in 1945 into a politically prominent family.
- Educated in East Germany, he earned a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering.
- Detained multiple times in the 1980s, he fought for multi-party democracy.
- He helped draft the 2010 Constitution and led Kenya through the 2008 power-sharing government.
- Raila’s political legacy includes national unity efforts, infrastructure projects, and a lasting influence on Kenyan democracy.
Raila Amollo Odinga’s life was shaped by politics from the start. Born in 1945 to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President, he inherited not just a name but a calling.
His education in East Germany, where he earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Magdeburg, instilled in him a structured mind. This blend of technical knowledge and political philosophy later defined his style as a practical and thoughtful leader.
To many Kenyans, he was “Baba”, a father figure in politics. Others called him “Agwambo”, the unpredictable one. His political journey was full of challenges, but his resilience never wavered.
In the 1980s, Raila was detained several times without trial for opposing Kenya’s one-party KANU regime. These imprisonments earned him a reputation as a freedom fighter, a man willing to risk everything for democratic reform.
Raila’s activism was key to bringing back multi-party politics in the early 1990s. Later, he played a leading role in drafting the 2010 Constitution, which introduced devolution, limited presidential powers, and restructured governance.
His challenge of the 2017 presidential election results, which led to the Supreme Court nullifying the outcome, was historic, the first time an African court overturned such a result, proving his commitment to the law and democracy.
Raila’s influence went beyond politics. In 2008, after post-election violence, he joined a power-sharing government with President Mwai Kibaki as Prime Minister, restoring stability.
In 2018, the famous Handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta symbolised national reconciliation. While controversial to some, it reduced tensions and fostered dialogue for unity and development.
He also worked on continental projects as the African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure (2018–2023), supporting cross-border transport and energy initiatives. Locally, as Minister of Roads and Public Works (2003–2005) and later Prime Minister, he implemented infrastructure, rural electrification, and slum upgrading programs.
Raila ran for president five times, each campaign inspiring new generations of Kenyans. Leading the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), he built one of Kenya’s strongest political parties.
His fight for justice, democracy, and equality shaped Kenya’s political landscape and left a blueprint for future leaders. Raila Odinga’s story is one of resilience, reform, and unwavering dedication to the Kenyan people.
