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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.

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