1. Prime minister of the
republic of Kenya
Following the controversial election
in 2007, Raila Odinga had to form a
coalition government with president
Mwai Kibaki, a move that ended the
post-election violence that had
divided the country right in the
middle. Mr Odinga later assumed
office as the second in command in
April 2008.
2. He is the son of the first
vice president of Kenya
Despite commanding a huge
following in Kenya, many of his fans
do not know that Raila’s father was
the first vice president of Kenya.
His father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
was one of the iconic politicians
that participated in the liberation
of Kenya from the British
leadership. His brave and sharp
struggle saw him raise two sons,
Raila and Oburu, who would later
become renowned leaders in the
history of Kenyan politics.
3. Raila was an MP the
same time as his father
Both Raila Odinga and his father
were members of parliament at the
same time. This is a fact that most
Kenyans do not know. As father and
son, the duo served as MPs
between 1992 and 1994. This is a
very rare occasion that the Kenya
parliament has never witnessed.
Raila has also been in the Kenya
parliament together with his
brother Oburu Odinga at the same
Time
4. He has contested the
presidency 3 times
If there is a Kenyan politician who
deserves to be the president of
Kenya, it is Raila Amolo Odinga. He
made his first attempt in 1997 but
only emerged the third after the
then president Daniel Toroitich
Arap Moi. In 2007, Raila made his
second attempt for the presidency
through the Orange democratic
movement (ODM) ticket. This time
he emerged second after Mwai
Kibaki . In the last general election
held in march 2013, Raila emerged
second in an election that was
marred with controversy and court
appeals.
5. Has been in numerous
political parties
If the facts are examined, Raila is
one of the Kenyan politicians who
have been in different political
parties. He has been a member of
National Development Party (NDP),
KANU, Liberal Democratic Party
(LDP) and ODM. His were calculated
strategies aimed at forming a
formidable opposition to remove
the past incumbent presidents.
6. Raila is an Alumni of
Maranda high school
Having been born in Maseno, Raila
Odinga attended both Maranda
primary school and Maranda
secondary school. He finished his
secondary education in 1962.
7. Raila is a qualified
mechanical engineer
He is known as Engineer Raila
Amolo Odinga and this is evident
when you trace his academic road.
Upon completing secondary
education from Maranda, Raila
progressed to Leipzig University in
Germany. However, it was at
Magdeburg technical school that
Raila Odinga started his mechanical
engineering career. He graduated in
the year 1970 with a master’s of
science in mechanical engineering.
8. Raila was once a
detainee
Indeed, it can plausibly be argued
that the life of this politician has
never been smooth. He was under
house arrest for 76 months after
being linked with a failed coup
attempt. This was one of the
darkest days in Kenya In 1982 as
many civilians lost their lives. He
was later to be charged with
treason, a move that saw him spend
six years in jail.
9. Has something in
common with Kenneth
Matiba and Charles Rubia
Upon his release from jail in June
1989, Raila was rearrested a year
later together with Charles Rubia
and Kenneth Matiba. He was later
released after one year and took
exile in Norway.
10. He is a footballer
Raila was once a midfielder for Luo
union football club, which is now
popularly known as Gor mahia. This
is the reason why the politician has
a keen interest in the events of
Kenya football and hardly misses
any major soccer match that
involves the Harambee stars of
Kenya. Most Kenyans recognize him
as one of the die-hard fans of
Arsenal Football club.
