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As the adage would have it, 'No great man lives in vain. The history of the world is but the biography of great men.' The history of Raila Odinga will soon be studied by historians and political scientists across the globe. This is after Durham University, under the auspices of Professor Justin Willis from the Department of History joined fellow researchers into delving deeper in the life of veteran politician who shaped Kenya politics for decades, the late Raila Amolo Odinga. Raila Odinga was a great politician who wielded great powers that was almost similar to that of a president, yet he wasn't one. The former prime minister exhibited great resilience, despite losing several presidential elections. He managed to keep his support base intact, even after losing the presidential contest. Raila is the only Kenya politician who changed the country without ever ruling it. Many politicians in Kenya, particularly those from Western region, depended on Raila's endorsement fo...

  Raila Odinga was one of the most enigmatic politician that Kenya has ever had. The former Prime Minister had a solid support base that held him above most of his political peers. He was always first among the equal, despite never tasting the presidential delicacy. Raila managed to have a huge following, due to his magical sense of humour. Despite being a stammerer, he was comical in his political undertones. He came from one of the most political families, and his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was the first Vice President of Kenya. Oginga Odinga served as the Vice President for 3 years before he resigned following his fallout with the then President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Raila Odinga was first elected as a member of parliament to represent Langata constituency in 1992. He was in politics for over 3 decades before he died. Why Raila Odinga became popular in the political scene Odinga shot to the limelight after leading a massive walkout from KANU in 2002 to support Mwai Kibaki as th...

 President William Ruto allies want ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna to be etched out from ODM and snatched his party position. The call for his ouster came immediately after the burial of ODM party leader Raila Odinga. This is after Sifuna showed open defiance to the broad-based government and insisted that  ODM will have a presidential candidate in 2027 to compete President William Ruto. While addressing mourners in Bondo, Sifuna reiterated that ODM must produce a presidential candidate in the next general election. His utterance seem to have rattled Ruto's bastion. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei led UDA mandarins in urging ODM to evict their Secretary General. He accused his Senate colleague of being a mole of the united opposition. "The biggest threat to ODM’s growth is Sifuna. He must be removed from ODM as the Secretary General by the end of 2025. He is the mole of the united opposition in ODM," Cherargei stated. Edwin Sifuna, Babu Owino and Simba Arati are among ...

  The indomitable scion of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga is a spirit that will dominate Kenya's political scene for ages. Raila Amolo Odinga became the first Kenyan to be sworn in as the people's president, while there was a substantive president in the name of Uhuru Kenyatta. In post- ndependence Kenya, he holds the record of being the longest serving political detainee. He was detained for 10 years. In the multipartism era after quiting Ford Kenya, he resigned from his legislative role to seek a fresh mandate under a new party - the National Development Party (NDP). He was reelected as the MP for Langata, a position he served up to 2013. Raila Odinga was the first person to serve as an MP alongside his father. He was elected as Langata MP in 1992 while his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga won the Bondo seat that same year. Jaramogi was the MP for Bondo until 1994 when he died. He was succeeded by his eldest son Oburu Oginga. Raila served as Kenya's second prime minister from 2008 t...

 Mourners and family gathered on Sunday at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Technology (JOOUST) to pay their last respect to Raila Odinga. The event was graced by local dignitaries and international delegates. Former president Uhuru Kenyatta was among the mourners who hailed Raila as a true statesman. President William Ruto led the nation in bidding farewell to the fallen patriot who bestrode Kenya politics like a colossal.  Odinga served as the second prime minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013, through a unity pact, that ended the 2007-2008 post election violence. The skirmishes were triggered after the electoral commission declaration that Mwai Kibaki had won presidency, which was allegedly rigged. The departed opposition icon shaped Kenya politics for over four decades. He endured detention without trial.  Several leaders across the country and beyond borders paid glowing tribute to the legendary leader who had captured the hearts and imagination of many Kenyans. Th...

  Despite venturing new political frontiers, there is a huge political debt that Raila Odinga never paid. Raila Odinga owed a big political debt to Kalonzo Musyoka. Kalonzo who once served as a vice president supported the former prime minister in 3 general elections. He stood as Raila's running mate in 2 general elections. Raila had promised to support Kalonzo in return. The passing on of Raila Odinga has left many Kenyans orphaned, particularly those in the political circles. There were many politicians who were still hanging on his coat to be endorsed in 2027. The death of Raila marked the end of an era. There are many unfinished plans. He was among the second liberation heroes and fought for the restoration of multiparty democracy in Kenya. He is being ranged alongside his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Martin Shikuku, Kenneth Matiba, George Anyona, James Orengo, Koigi Wa Wamwere and Gitobu Imanyara among many others. Regrettably those who were resting on their ...

  Former US president Barack Obama joined the list of world leaders who mourned the demise of Raila Odinga. Obama described Raila as a champion of democracy who had a long-standing record of struggle for emancipation of Kenyans from the manacles of oppression. "Raila Odinga was a true champion of democracy. A child of independence, he endured decades of struggle and sacrifice for the broader cause of freedom and self-governance in Kenya," he stated.  Obama added that: "Time and again, I personally saw him put the interests of his country ahead of his own ambitions. Like few other leaders anywhere, he was willing to choose the path of peaceful reconciliation without compromising his core values." The former US President relayed his condolence message and that of his wife Mitchelle via social media. "Through his life, Raila Odinga set an example not just for Kenyans, but across Africa and around the world. I know he will be missed. Michelle and I send our deepest...

Winnie Odinga signature remark of 'the King is death, but long live the crown' sums it all. She takes political charge after the demise of her father, Raila Odinga. The protocol at the sendoff ceremony put her last to speak in recognition of her elevated stature. "Some leaders are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them,” William Shakespeare noted Winnie Odinga has all three attributes. The legacy, the achievement and the circumstances. It's no longer a secret that Raila Odinga prepared his last born daughter to take over leadership mantle after his departure. Winnie Odinga moved a glowing tribute as she narrated the last moments with her dad shortly before he died. "He died in my arms. He died strong. With dignity and with pride. The king is dead, but long live the crown," she stated. Winnie called her dad all sort of names as he was fondly referred by many Kenyans at different times, culminating with the one which he was...

  Former President Uhuru Kenyatta received a standing ovation as he rose to mourn the late Raila Amollo Odinga . The former President was among thousands who thronged Nyayo Stadium on the 17th October 2025 for the funeral service in honour of Raila. As soon as Uhuru stood and took to the podium, there was a brief moment of wild chants from the gathering. Uhuru used the occasion to assure Kenyans that he will continue championing the ideals of the departed ODM leader. He mourned Raila as a true statesman who put the interest of nation first before his own. He urged Kenyans to remain steadfast in defending the democracy that Raila fought for during the course of the liberation struggle. "Raila Odinga loved this country more than anything else. He was a father to all, a man who saw no tribe and stood for every Kenyan. As we bid him farewell, we must promise ourselves that the freedoms, rights, and democracy he fought for will never be taken away from us,” Uhuru said. In a moving trib...

 The death of Raila Odinga became one of the biggest blow to Kenyans as attested by the way he was received upon the arrival of his body at JKIA from India. There was a standstill right from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Parliament buildings, Lee Funeral Home and Kasarani National Stadium due to a huge turnout. JKIA management had to halt flight operations for two hours due to flight scare. This is after an uncontrollable crowd stormed the airport facility to pay their last tribute to the fallen hero. Raila Odinga wasn't just an ordinary mortal, but carried the hearts of many who looked upon him as their hero. The body of Raila lied in state at Kasarani Stadium for public viewing on the 16th October 2025, an event which had been rescheduled from Parliament buildings owing to the surging crowd that almost overwhelmed the security apparatus. President William Ruto led dignataries and Kenyans in the public viewing event. Former president Uhuru Kenyatta was also prese...

  When the clouds gathered, and speculations were rife with Kenyans demanding to know the whereabouts of Raila Odinga, it didn't click the minds of many that they would lose a great man of his calibre. Raila died on the 15th of October 2025 at the age of 80. Raila served as Kenya's second Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013. He was elected as MP for Langata in 1992 and served upto 2013. The death of ODM leader Raila Odinga has sent shockwaves across Kenya and beyond its borders. Raila Odinga was not just an ordinary politician, but he was an above average political strategist who withstood the vagaries of the murkiest field of Kenya politics for over 3 decades. His death has left a huge vaccum in the entire nation, particularly his backyard of luo Nyanza. Who will succeed Raila Odinga? The death of Raila has triggered succession battle, as James Orengo, Opiyo Wandayi, Gladys Wanga, Babu Owino and John Mbadi gears up to fill the gap. ODM leadership will definitely be determined...

  President William Ruto is so witty in his endeavors. He is not taking anything to chance in his re-election bid. Ruto has been on an offensive charm to woo his esrtwhile political nemeses. In a well choreographed manoeuvre, the president of Kenya under the guise of uniting the nation has retracted his initial stance of battling against dynastical rule and has distanced himself from the over-hyped Kenya hustlers. The sequence of dynastical capture Just like his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, president Ruto started with luring his 2022 presidential competitor and a perennial presidential contender - Raila Odinga. President William Ruto reached out to Raila after the 2024 Gen-Zs protests that almost turned into a revolution against the State. The handshake between Ruto and Raila led to the inclusion of ODM diehards in the hastily formed broad-based government. Hassan  Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, Opiyo Wandayi and John Mbadi were appointed to the Kenya cabinet courtesy of a rapport be...

  Speculations have been rife over the health condition of ODM leader and perennial presidential contender Raila Odinga. Preliminary reports indicate that he is serious ill and hospitalized at the Kings College Hospital in the United Kingdom. However, a confirmed report from his inner circle indicated that the former prime minister had been admitted at unknown hospital in India, in critical condition. Raila was scheduled to lead the ODM party in celebrating their 20th anniversary at Mombasa, but the event was postponed due to his deteriorating health status. ODM Secretariat has already issued a statement asking Kenyans to pray for their party leader. Raila Odinga's last public appearance The ODM leader was last seen with his sister Akinyi Walkowa Odinga, where he was photographed alongside his wife Ida. Akinyi was seen donned in academic regalia, after attaining a doctorate degree specializing in Public administration and Peace studies at the Durban University in South Africa. The ...