Life. Seasoned with perspective.
“In a life marked by struggle and triumph, the lessons of authenticity, forgiveness, trust, family, and persistence continue to whisper what true leadership means.”
On Sunday, Kenya said goodbye to one of its greatest sons, Raila Amolo Odinga. For many of us, he was more than a politician. He was a movement. A man whose story shaped our lives in ways that will take years to understand fully.
I spent most of my early working life in the newsroom, thirteen years to be exact, and during that time, Raila was a constant presence. He was a headline, a quote, a story, a moment. But even before that, I was fascinated by him, the way he stood up to power when silence would have been easier, the way he made politics feel alive. His clashes with Michael Kijana Wamalwa at Ford Kenya, his fiery speeches, his restless courage — they made him the kind of leader you could not ignore.
Let me declare something early. I have voted in five elections in Kenya, and in all of them, I either voted for Raila or someone he supported. Not because he was perfect, but because he stood for something bigger than himself. Without him, our democracy and the freedoms we enjoy today would not be the same.
As a communicator, I know that the media environment we operate in owes a lot to the 2010 Constitution. Raila fought for that document. He defended it, lived by it, and challenged anyone who tried to undermine it. His life’s work gave us space to speak, to criticise, and to question power without fear.
My family is political. We have even produced a few Members of Parliament. The subject of Raila Amolo Odinga was the only one that separated my father and I. Whenever we had our evening talks and Raila’s name came up, that conversation ended abruptly. My father, Jobson Mulanda, did not like the man, and he never hid it.
But this is not about family politics. It is about lessons. The kind I will carry with me into the future.
Lesson One: Be true to yourself.
Raila never conformed. He began his journey in the difficult environment of the one-party KANU state. While many from his region sang praises to the establishment for comfort or favour, he chose truth over convenience. That choice cost him freedom, comfort, and sometimes safety, but it also made him unforgettable. He taught me that you do not need to be liked to make a difference; you only need to be authentic.
Lesson Two: Forgive, even when you have every reason not to.
Nine years. That is how long he spent in detention under Daniel Moi’s government. Nine years of isolation, pain, and separation from his family. Yet years later, he forgave Moi, shook his hand, and even worked with him. That same spirit of reconciliation followed him throughout his career, through every handshake, every truce, every moment when he chose peace over pride.
I remember the 2007 elections vividly. I was a producer and director then, working in the in-house tallying centre at a local TV station. When the presidential results between Mwai Kibaki and Raila went sideways, the tension was thick. One afternoon, we were asked to leave our workstations briefly. When we returned, the figures had changed. The owners later admitted to doctoring the results. Still, Raila chose peace. He agreed to form a coalition government. That decision, I believe, saved Kenya. It taught me that leadership is not about winning at all costs; it is about knowing when to hold the nation together.
Lesson Three: Influence is built on trust, not money.
Raila was never known to buy loyalty. In fact, some joked that he was not the most generous man with cash. But look at the people who followed him, millions, year after year, generation after generation. His following was not bought, it was earned through trust, through shared struggle, through belief. He lived what the Bible says, let your left hand not know what your right hand gives. His generosity was quiet, intentional, and personal.
Lesson Four: Family is the truest legacy.
The tributes from his wife and children have painted a beautiful picture of the man behind the leader. His bond with his youngest, Winnie Odinga, stood out. He trusted her, leaned on her, and allowed her to shape some of his most important decisions. He died in her arms. That image alone is powerful. It reminded me that no matter how big your dream is, family is the one audience that always deserves your best performance.
Lesson Five: Greatness is not perfection, it is persistence.
Raila was not flawless. None of us is. But he never stopped trying, never stopped believing, never stopped showing up. He taught me that a true leader falls and rises again, again and again, until the mission is done.
while President Uhuru Kenyatta cheered on.
He went by many names: Tinga, Agwambo, Jakom, The Enigma, Nyundo, Joshua, The People’s President, Baba. Each name carried affection, history, and power. But to me, he will always be the man who showed that courage, conviction, and compassion can live in the same heart.
Rest in Eternal Power, Baba.
Thank you for the lessons. Thank you for showing us what resilience looks like.
About the author:
Kibisu Mulanda is a media executive and strategic communicator with over 20 years of experience in television, NGO storytelling, and youth-focused content. He is the Acting Head of Switch Media Ltd and teaches media at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC). A Certified SIYB Trainer, he blends storytelling with strategy to drive social impact.
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