Why Global Historians chose to research on Raila Odinga's Life

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 for political survival.

He rose to popularity with a revolutionary tag, then transformed himself to a reformist and a democrat. He was more focused on political change.

Raila advocated for the introduction of the devolved system of government and campaigned for constitutional change.

He defeated the government in the first ever national plebiscite to be held in Kenya in 2005, because there was no provision for devolution. When the devolution clause was included in the amended draft, he spearheaded for its passage in 2010.

How enigmatic Raila Odinga was

The enigma of Kenya politics swore himself as the people's president and remained untouched. However those who conducted the illegal oath, the likes of Miguna Miguna and TJ Kajwang', found themselves in hot soup.

Raila Odinga is the only key opposition figure in Kenya that has worked with four sitting presidents after presidential lose.

He worked with president Daniel Arap Moi in 2000 after losing the 1997 elections. He was appointed as the minister of energy in Moi's government.

In 2008, he worked with Mwai Kibaki in a power sharing deal where he was the prime minister. The position was awarded to him after the 2007 general elections which was allegedly rigged in favour of Kibaki.

In 2018, Raila Odinga and the then president Uhuru Kenyatta chose to bury their differences and work together. This was after losing the 2017 elections to Uhuru.

In 2024, the opposition icon and president William Ruto chose to work together. Raila donated 4 ODM members to be appointed as Cabinet Secretaries in Ruto-led government.

Comments

Kenyans surprised over UDA's 'Voters Repair' remarks for President Ruto 2027 reelection

Kenyans are reacting strongly to remarks by some UDA leaders that many interpret as hints at election manipulation ("ukarabati ya kura" / "voters repair") ahead of the 2027 presidential election. What Happened On or around May 23, 2026, NTV Kenya and other outlets aired footage from a UDA meeting at Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula's home. Leaders including Savula and MP Charles Gimose reportedly used phrases like "tutafanya ukarabati ya kura" (we will repair/do maintenance on the votes). Some comments referenced high victory margins in places like Tanzania under Samia Suluhu or Museveni-style wins. This has been widely seen as implying plans to "fix" or pad results in favor of President William Ruto's reelection, rather than a literal call for better voter registration or system maintenance. Public Reaction 1. Surprise and outrage: Many Kenyans on X and social media expressed shock, viewing it as arrogant or desperate signaling am...

How to commercialize your prototype innovation in Kenya

Commercializing a prototype in Kenya involves transforming your innovation from a proof-of-concept stage into a marketable product or service that generates revenue. This process requires protecting your intellectual property (IP), validating market demand, securing funding, and selecting the right business model. Kenya has a supportive ecosystem with government agencies, grants, and innovation hubs to help. Below is a step-by-step guide based on established practices and resources. 1. Protect Your Intellectual Property (IP) Before commercialization, safeguard your innovation to prevent copying. In Kenya, IP protection is handled by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI). Register your IP : File for patents, trademarks, copyrights, or industrial designs. Patents are crucial for inventions and provide a 20-year monopoly. Start with a patent search to ensure novelty, then apply via KIPI's online portal. Costs range from KSh 3,000–50,000 depending on the type. Why...

Important steps to be taken when buying Land in Kenya

Land is a vital asset and acquiring it requires utmost caution to avoid finding yourself in a protracted, unending legal battle. As Kenya's economy bites, there has been increased cases of land fraud. Land disputes have been so rampant, hence the need for advocacy of future land buyers to be cautious when undertaking land transfer processes. Factors to consider when purchasing land in Kenya 1. Do a land search at the ministry of lands. This enables you to confirm the real owner of the land and know whether it has any legal dispute, loan or unpaid tax. 2. Site visit: Make sure you see the land physically and confirm its boundaries. 3. Land verification: Verify the authenticity of the property at the land registry and confirm if it is freehold, leasehold or communal. 4. Sale agreement: Engage a lawyer and a surveyor for legally sound transaction. 5. Land transfer: Make sure the original titledeed is transferred from the name of the seller to your name. 6. Register your land w...

Phode News Hub

Search This Blog