RAILA AMOLLO ODINGA’S BIOGRAPHY

Raila Odinga is a prominent Kenyan politician and a key figure in the country’s political landscape. Here is an overview of his biography:

Early Life and Education

Full Name: Raila Amolo Odinga
Date of Birth: January 7, 1945
Place of Birth: Maseno, Kenya
Parents: His father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was Kenya’s first Vice President.

Raila Odinga attended various schools in Kenya and later studied in East Germany at the Technical School in Magdeburg, earning a degree in mechanical engineering.

Political Career

Early Activism: Odinga entered politics in the late 1970s. He was detained without trial for six years following his alleged involvement in a coup attempt against President Daniel arap Moi in 1982.
Reforms and Multiparty Democracy: He played a significant role in the movement towards multiparty democracy in Kenya in the early 1990s, joining the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD).
Legislative Career: Elected as Member of Parliament for Lang’ata in 1992, Odinga became a prominent opposition leader.
National Development Party: In 1997, he ran for president but later merged his National Development Party (NDP) with KANU, the ruling party, serving as Minister of Energy.

Prime Minister of Kenya

Achievements as Prime Minister: His tenure saw efforts towards constitutional reform, culminating in the promulgation of a new constitution in 2010.
2007 Presidential Election: Odinga contested the presidency but lost to Mwai Kibaki in an election marred by allegations of rigging, leading to widespread violence. A power-sharing agreement brokered by international mediators in 2008 resulted in Odinga becoming Kenya’s second Prime Minister, serving from 2008 to 2013.

Subsequent Presidential Campaigns

2013 and 2017 Elections: Odinga ran for president in both elections but was defeated. He claimed the 2017 election was marred by irregularities, leading to a historic Supreme Court ruling that annulled the election and ordered a re-run, which he boycotte.
2022 Presidential Election: Odinga ran once again, but he was defeated by William Ruto in an election where he had broad support from the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Political Influence and Legacy

Building Bridges Initiative (BBI): In 2018, Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta unveiled the BBI, aimed at uniting Kenyans and addressing issues of ethnic antagonism and divisive elections. Though the BBI faced legal challenges, it marked a significant attempt at political reform.
Legacy: Odinga is known for his steadfast advocacy for democracy, human rights, and good governance in Kenya. His political career spans decades, making him one of the most influential and enduring figures in Kenyan politics.

Personal Life

Family: Raila Odinga is married to Ida Odinga, and they have four children.

His family has been actively involved in various public and business ventures.

Raila Odinga remains a central figure in Kenya’s political scene, known for his resilience, reformist agenda, and influence on the country’s democratic trajectory.