Raila Odinga is dead: Detention, Constitutional Reform, and Handshakes

 


Veteran opposition leader Raila Amolo Odinga has passed away, as confirmed by official sources on Wednesday, following weeks of speculation regarding his health. This marks the conclusion of a political era that lasted over four decades and shaped Kenya’s multi-party landscape.

  Raila, who passed away on Tuesday night at the age of 80 while receiving treatment in India, was a monumental figure in the nation’s democratic evolution — both revered and contested for his tenacity, reformist spirit, and five vigorous yet unsuccessful attempts at the presidency. Since his initial pursuit of the presidency in 1997, Raila — affectionately referred to by his supporters as Baba (Father) and Agwambo (The Mysterious One) — has been a consistent figure in Kenya’s dynamic political environment. Throughout his five presidential campaigns, he inspired millions, challenged regimes, and left a lasting impact on the country’s democratic progress. From Presidents Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, to William Ruto, Odinga has been a steadfast presence in national politics — frequently from the opposition’s front lines. Born in 1945, Raila was the offspring of Kenya’s inaugural Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, whose conflict with President Jomo Kenyatta established a family legacy of political opposition. After completing his engineering studies in East Germany, Raila returned to Kenya during the oppressive regime of President Daniel arap Moi. In 1982, he was imprisoned without trial due to accusations of involvement in a failed coup attempt. Nearly a decade in detention transformed him into a symbol of resistance — and a courageous advocate for democracy. Raila’s initial presidential campaign occurred in 1997 under the National Development Party (NDP). Finishing third behind Moi and Democratic Party leader Mwai Kibaki, his performance signified his rise as a significant national figure.

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