19/10/2025
Tribute to Raila Amolo Odinga (1945–2025)
Going Back to the Ideological Roots in Honour of Kenya’s Shujaa
By Erick Inghatt Matsanza
Few lives have shaped Kenya’s democratic story as profoundly as that of Raila Amolo Odinga — the engineer who built not just bridges of concrete, but bridges of conscience. His journey from detention to devolution, from rebellion to reconciliation, was driven by one simple belief: that Kenya must be governed by ideas, not by tribe or fear.
Born on 7 January 1945 in Maseno, Nyanza Province, to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga — Kenya’s first Vice-President — and Mary Ajuma Odinga, Raila was raised in the furnace of nationalist politics. He attended Maranda High School, then pursued mechanical engineering in East Germany, graduating with a Master’s degree in 1970 from Magdeburg University. Upon returning home, he taught at the University of Nairobi and later founded East African Spectre Ltd, one of Kenya’s first African-owned manufacturing firms.
But destiny called him to a higher vocation — the liberation of his nation’s democratic soul.
Years of Detention and Defiance
In August 1982, after a failed coup against President Daniel arap Moi’s regime, Raila Odinga was detained without trial for six years. He endured torture, isolation, and darkness — but his spirit never broke. Re-arrested twice more between 1988 and 1991, he spent a total of eight years in detention, emerging as one of the enduring symbols of resistance.
When multiparty democracy was restored in 1991 with the repeal of Section 2A, Raila joined his father in founding the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) — a movement that rekindled Kenya’s democratic flame.
Forging Political Alternatives
Elected Member of Parliament for Lang’ata in 1992, Raila’s vision soon collided with the opportunism that split FORD into FORD-Kenya and FORD-Asili. Undeterred, he joined the National Development Party (NDP) in 1996, transforming it into a populist vehicle for reform.
He ran for president in 1997, finishing third but proving his political mettle. In 2001, NDP merged with KANU, and Raila was appointed Minister for Energy, leading rural electrification reforms. But when President Moi bypassed him to anoint Uhuru Kenyatta as successor in 2002, Raila broke away, formed the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and declared “Kibaki Tosha!” at Uhuru Park — a rallying cry that ended 24 years of KANU dominance.
The Orange Revolution and People’s Movement
As Minister for Roads, Public Works, and Housing (2003–2005), Raila championed infrastructure development, including the Mbagathi Concrete Road (now Raila Odinga Way). But the NARC coalition soon faltered over constitutional reform.
In the 2005 referendum, Raila led the Orange camp against the Banana side backed by President Kibaki. The Orange side triumphed with 57% of the vote, birthing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) — a people’s movement rooted in social democracy, justice, and equality.
ODM became a beacon of ideological politics — a reminder that democracy must be driven by conviction, not convenience.
2007: The Darkest Hour and the Power of Peace
In the December 2007 election, Raila’s ODM won a parliamentary majority, but the presidential tally was marred by controversy. The ensuing post-election violence claimed over 1,100 lives and displaced 600,000 Kenyans.
Through AU mediation led by Kofi Annan, a peace accord was reached. On 17 April 2008, Raila was sworn in as Prime Minister, serving until 2013. His role in stabilising Kenya and steering the 2010 Constitution process remains one of the cornerstones of our nation’s modern identity. The Constitution, promulgated on 27 August 2010, enshrined devolution, gender equality, and accountability — the ideals Raila had spent decades fighting for.
Politics of Principle: From Opposition to Handshake
Raila ran again in 2013, 2017, and 2022, each time carrying the torch of reform. In 2017, his petition led to Africa’s first annulment of a presidential election by a Supreme Court, affirming his commitment to the rule of law.
Then came the Handshake of 9 March 2018 — a moment of national healing with President Uhuru Kenyatta that gave rise to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), a platform to address Kenya’s divisions and inequality. It was not a surrender but an act of statesmanship.
Continental Influence and Final Years
Beyond Kenya, Raila’s Pan-African impact was profound. In 2018, he was appointed African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, advocating for a connected and industrialized Africa.
Even in his final years, he continued to work for national unity. On 7 March 2025, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with President William Ruto on governance reforms, devolution, and youth empowerment — a testament to his lifelong belief that Kenya’s destiny lay in dialogue, not division.
Raila Odinga passed away on 15 October 2025 while in India, Kerala State, for treatment, aged 80. His state funeral in Bondo, Siaya County, on 19 October 2025 drew leaders and citizens from across the continent, a fitting farewell to a continental statesman.
A Call to Return to Ideological Politics
Today, as Kenya mourns this giant, we must look inward. Our political landscape is cluttered with parties that mirror each other — ideology diluted by tribalism, opportunism, and short-termism.
ODM was never meant to be a mere party; it was an idea — a covenant with the people for justice, equity, and unity. To honour Raila Odinga’s legacy, we must rekindle that ideological fire.
In the spirit of unity that Raila championed, I call upon our current president, Dr. William Samoei Ruto, to rise to this historic moment. Let him lead his troops back to the Orange Democratic Movement, fold the banners of division, and paint Kenya Orange once more — not as a colour of a party, but as a symbol of people-powered democracy.
Let UDA and ODM unite under one ideological banner, and let President Ruto run for his second term under ODM’s ticket, bringing together all Kenyans under the politics of ideas — the very creed Raila Odinga lived and died for.
That would be the truest honour to Kenya’s Shujaa — the man who believed that “a nation is bigger than any individual.” It would heal the nation’s fractures, inspire the youth, and restore meaning to our politics.
Let political parties without ideology die a natural death. Let Kenya, at last, stand on the firm ground of ideas and social democracy.
Eternal Legacy
Raila Odinga was the embodiment of Kenya’s conscience — a man who chose principle over privilege, ideas over identity. His sacrifices gifted Kenya its democratic rebirth; his courage built our Constitution; his vision will continue to light our path.
Let us protect his legacy — of peace, unity, and nationhood that puts people first. Let us rebuild our politics on conviction, not convenience; on purpose, not personality.
Long live Raila Amolo Odinga.
Long live Kenya.
Long live the fight for social justice, unity, and truth.
History will remember Raila not for how many elections he lost, but for how many generations he lifted into hope.
