As Kenya mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, tributes continue to pour in from across the nation and beyond. The veteran politician, known for his unyielding fight for democracy and justice, leaves behind a towering legacy that shaped the country’s modern political landscape.
Here are five pivotal moments that defined his enduring impact on Kenya’s history.
5. The Handshake
One of the most memorable moment of Raila Odinga’s later years came on March 9, 2018, when he stood side by side with his longtime rival, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in an unexpected gesture of peace.
The “Handshake” ended months of post-election tension following the disputed 2017 presidential vote.
While it divided opinion, the moment underscored Odinga’s commitment to national unity over political rivalry. It also paved the way for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which sought to address issues of inclusion, governance, and reconciliation.
For many, the handshake marked the height of his statesmanship, a move that placed Kenya’s stability above personal ambition.
4. Championing Multiparty Democracy
Raila Odinga’s political story cannot be told without his role in the fight for multiparty democracy during Kenya’s one-party era under the late President Daniel arap Moi.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Odinga joined other reformists, among them Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, and his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, in calling for the repeal of Section 2A of the Constitution, which barred political pluralism.
His activism saw him detained multiple times without trial. Yet his courage and defiance helped usher in the reintroduction of multiparty politics in 1992, a turning point in Kenya’s democratic journey.
3. Endorsing Kibaki to Dethrone President Moi
In 2002, Raila Odinga made one of the most consequential political statements in Kenya’s history when he declared “Kibaki Tosha!”, endorsing Mwai Kibaki as the opposition’s joint presidential candidate.
That declaration united previously divided opposition forces under the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) banner, leading to a landslide victory that ended KANU’s 24-year rule.
The moment cemented Raila’s image as a master strategist and a unifying force, willing to sacrifice his own ambitions for the greater good of democratic change.
2. Championing the 2010 Constitutional Reforms
As Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition Government (2008–2013), Raila Odinga played a central role in steering Kenya toward the adoption of a new constitution.
He was instrumental in building consensus and mobilising national support for the 2010 Constitution, which introduced devolution, strengthened civil liberties, and restructured governance.
The new legal framework became one of the most significant democratic reforms since independence — a lasting testament to Odinga’s reformist vision.
1. Joining Grand Coalition Government.
Following the deadly post-election violence of 2007–2008, Raila Odinga agreed to share power with President Kibaki in a coalition government brokered by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The move defused a national crisis that had claimed over 1,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. As Kenya’s first Prime Minister, Odinga prioritised reconciliation, institutional reform, and economic recovery.
It was a defining act of maturity, one that showed his willingness to place peace above political gain.
A Lasting Legacy
Raila Odinga’s name will forever be intertwined with Kenya’s fight for democracy, justice, and unity.
From the underground cells of political detention to the corridors of power, his journey mirrored the country’s own struggles and triumphs.
Whether loved or criticised, his influence on Kenya’s political and democratic evolution remains that of a man who never stopped believing in the promise of a better nation.
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