Raila Odinga: Kenya Mourns the “President Who Never Was”
Kenya and the wider world are mourning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, one of Africa’s most enduring political figures, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 80. Tributes have poured in from across the continent and beyond for the man often described as “the president that Kenya never had.”
President William Ruto led the nation in mourning, calling Odinga a “once-in-a-generation leader” and “the father of Kenyan democracy.” He announced seven days of national mourning and a state funeral with full military honours, underscoring Odinga’s towering influence on Kenya’s political life.
A Life of Struggle and Resilience
Born in 1945 in Kisumu, on the shores of Lake Victoria, Odinga was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president. After studying engineering in East Germany, he returned home in the 1970s, teaching at the University of Nairobi and launching several businesses, including a successful venture in liquid petroleum gas cylinders.
Odinga’s political journey began in the 1980s, when he emerged as a fierce critic of President Daniel arap Moi’s one-party rule. His activism came at a heavy personal cost: he was detained without trial from 1982 to 1988 for alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt, and again from 1989 to 1991. Following his release, he fled into exile amid fears of assassination, returning in 1992 to win a parliamentary seat in Nairobi.
The Relentless Presidential Candidate
Odinga ran for the presidency five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — but never succeeded. His closest contest came in 2007, when disputed results sparked Kenya’s worst post-election violence since independence, leaving more than 1,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.
Despite repeated defeats, Odinga remained a central figure in Kenyan politics. His campaigns often galvanized millions, and his ability to mobilize grassroots support earned him the affectionate nickname “Baba” (Father). Even in loss, he shaped the national agenda, pressing for reforms that culminated in the adoption of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, a landmark in the country’s democratic evolution.
A Statesman and Pan-Africanist
In recent years, Odinga surprised many by forging a political pact with President Ruto, bringing his opposition party into government policymaking and securing cabinet appointments for his allies. The move was seen as a pragmatic step toward national unity, even as it softened his role as the face of opposition.
Beyond Kenya, Odinga was widely respected as a pan-Africanist. He served as the African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development, advocating for regional integration and economic transformation. Leaders across Africa, including South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, hailed him as a “selfless leader committed to peace and prosperity.”
The Man Behind the Politics
Known for his love of football and his signature slow-motion dance at rallies, Odinga cultivated a personal connection with supporters that transcended politics. He is survived by his wife Ida Odinga and three of their four children.
For many Kenyans, his death marks not only the passing of a political giant but also the end of an era. As the country looks ahead to the 2027 elections, Odinga’s absence leaves a significant vacuum in the opposition landscape.
A Legacy Etched in Kenya’s History
Though he never achieved the presidency, Raila Odinga’s legacy is secure. He will be remembered as a tireless advocate for democracy, a fearless critic of authoritarianism, and a leader whose sacrifices helped shape modern Kenya.
As the nation prepares for his state funeral, Kenyans reflect on a life defined by resilience, struggle, and an unyielding belief in the promise of democracy.
