Early Political Involvement and Persecution
Raila Odinga was the most politically active member of his family. From an early age, he was deeply involved in politics, but it was the emergence of multiparty democracy that truly brought him into the public spotlight. His political journey took a dramatic turn after the 1982 coup attempt. Many people had not known him before the government detained him without trial. Prior to this, he had been arraigned before the Miller Commission, which investigated Charles Njonjo for his involvement in the coup.
It is said that the state could not prove his participation in the coup and therefore resorted to the colonial-era practice of detention without trial. Some believe he collaborated with prosecutors and accepted a plea bargain in exchange for being a state witness. From that point on, the hardships faced by his father and family were mirrored in his own persecution. However, his courage during this ordeal became a defining trait, establishing him as a champion of democracy.
Academic Career and Engineering Innovations
Raila earned a diploma in mechanical engineering from the School of Mechanical Engineering in 1970. Upon returning to Kenya, he joined academia as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nairobi. At the time, there were only three African academic staff members. His innovative spirit led him to establish the Standard Processing Equipment Construction & Erection Ltd, later renamed East African Spectre, the only company manufacturing liquid petroleum gas cylinders in Kenya.
In his own words, he sold his only possession—a Mercedes-Benz car—to start the manufacturing unit. While at the university, he contributed to the development of ISO Standards for gas cylinder production with the World Standards Organisation. These standards were adopted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards. He remained at the university until 1974, when he was appointed group standards manager of Kebs. After four years in that role, he was promoted to deputy director in 1978, a position he held until his detention in 1982.
Resistance Against Authoritarian Rule
Despite working for the government, Raila never allowed himself to be blinded by the excesses of the regimes of the time. Even from his maximum security prison cells, he actively participated in the covert movement to restore democracy to the country. It is widely believed that his involvement led to the movement being labeled as underground.
The public faces of the movement relied on his engineering expertise and extensive international networks to mobilize diplomatic support and resources. His student activism in the socialist political system of Erich Ernst Paul Honecker in East Germany played a key role in organizing the Mwakenya movement efficiently.
Personal Struggles and Exile
Some of Raila’s most painful experiences included the death of his mother in 1984, when prison wardens delayed informing him of her passing for two months. He was released on June 12, 1989, only to be rearrested on July 5, 1990, alongside Kenneth Matiba and former Nairobi mayor Charles Rubia, both advocates of the multiparty system and human rights.
Raila was finally released on June 21, 1991, and in October, he fled the country to Norway due to fears that the corrupt Kenyan government was attempting to assassinate him. This was after being rearrested eight months earlier in September 1988 for his pro-democracy activism during a period of deepening poor governance and single-party despotism.
His encounters with the authoritarian government created an aura of intrigue around him, leading his followers to nickname him “Agwambo,” meaning “The Mystery” or “Unpredictable,” and “Jakom,” meaning “chairman.” These traits, shaped by communist socialization, were crucial in his effective leadership of the NDP and ODM.
Political Evolution and Leadership
After the death of his father in 1994, Raila chose to break ranks with his comrades. His father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, had been a prominent opposition leader and head of the Ford Kenya party. Raila attempted to take over leadership from Kijana Wamalwa but failed, leading him to resign from the party and parliament altogether.
The subsequent by-election in the Lang’ata constituency marked a turning point in Raila’s political career. He successfully defended his seat under the National Development Party and, a year later, placed third in the presidential election behind Moi and Kibaki. By defeating Wamalwa and Charity Ngilu, he established himself as a shrewd politician.
Alliance and Reforms
Once in Parliament, Raila carved out a niche by forming an alliance with the ruling Kanu party, leading to his inclusion in the cabinet with President Moi. His ability to navigate these relationships enabled him to push for constitutional reforms, resulting in the establishment of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission under Prof Yash Pal Ghai.
Raila demonstrated remarkable selflessness by forgiving those who had persecuted him, not for personal gain but for the greater good of the nation. His unique ability to handle betrayal became one of his greatest contributions to Kenya.
Legacy of Unity and Patriotism
Raila’s legacy includes his efforts to unite the country across political divides for national development through justice and equity. His mentees have achieved global recognition, and his influence remains a cornerstone of national unity and patriotism.
