Nairobi: As the country grapples with the tragic news of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's death, his absence on Kenya's political scene will greatly be missed by many Kenyans. Foes and friends alike have paid tribute to the enigma of Kenyan opposition politics whose checkered career spans four decades.
According to Kenya News Agency, Raila Odinga, born in 1945 as the fifth child to Kenya's first Vice-President Jaramogi Ajuma Oginga Odinga, first came into the limelight when the leadership in power accused him of involvement in the 1982 coup, leading to his nearly nine-year detention. Raila later captured the Lang'ata parliamentary seat after the restoration of multiparty politics and held it successively until he relinquished it in 2010 to contest the presidency.
Raila was arguably one of the most popular politicians in the country, known for breaking many glass ceilings by forging alliances with perceived political opponents. One notable instance was when he folded his NDP political outfit to form an alliance with KANU. He also formed the grand coalition government with former President Mwai Kibaki, subsequently becoming Kenya's second prime minister.
Prior to the 2002 Presidential election, Raila surprised the country by shelving his own ambitions to rally behind Mwai Kibaki through the public declaration of 'Kibaki Tosha.' He campaigned vigorously for Kibaki, who had been injured in a road accident during the electioneering period. Kibaki won the election with a record 65 percent majoritarian vote, a victory many attributed to Raila's aggressive mobilization efforts.
Raila Odinga has left an indelible mark on Kenya's political and social fabric, choosing to put the nation ahead of personal ambition. With his demise, Kenya has been left the poorer.