Raila Odinga: Kenya’s conscience of Democracy

The world of African politics was profoundly shaken by the death of Raila Odinga, the former Kenyan Prime Minister and long-serving opposition leader. Odinga passed away on Wednesday, October 15, at the age of 80, following a sudden cardiac arrest during a morning stroll in Kochi, Kerala, India, where he was receiving treatment at the Deivamatha Hospital.

Odinga's death occurred at a particularly sensitive juncture. His party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), founded in 2005, was poised to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The party, which has been a pivotal force in the Kenyan political landscape, had planned significant commemorative events in the port city of Mombasa — one of Kenya's most crucial urban centers.

These grand festivities were intended to celebrate the party's two decades of achievements and rally its grassroots base and political leadership, reinforcing its role in national politics. Instead of celebration, the preparations swiftly shifted to a state of profound grief and national mourning.

Raila Amolo Odinga was born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Western Kenya, into a distinguished political dynasty; his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was Kenya's first Vice President after independence. Raila pursued higher education in East Germany, earning a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1970.

Upon his return, he began his career as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi before transitioning into government service, where he rose to the position of Deputy Director at the Kenya Bureau of Standards. While he inherited the political struggles of his family, he also successfully managed to expand the it’s business interests.

Odinga launched his political career as a revolutionary leftist during the 1980s. His journey began when Kenya was under the single-party rule of President Daniel arap Moi. He was among the earliest and most prominent figures to advocate for a democratic transition and the introduction of a multiparty system — a stance the government at the time considered a direct threat to the established regime.

Thus, Odinga’s commitment came at a heavy personal cost. He was first imprisoned in 1982, accused of involvement in an unsuccessful coup attempt against President Moi’s notoriously repressive regime. Odinga spent nine years behind bars, including six years in solitary confinement.

Odinga was known by the Luo nickname "Agwambo," meaning "The Mysterious One," a reference to his remarkable ability to forge alliances even with political adversaries

Upon his release, he immediately re-entered the political arena as a leading voice for ending the one-party rule and enacting fundamental constitutional reforms. He later joined the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), and in the first multiparty elections in 1992, he secured a parliamentary seat for the Lang'ata constituency, representing the opposition party led by his father. Crucially, Raila played a central role in the political movement that ultimately paved the way for the institutionalization of multiparty democracy in Kenya.

Odinga was known by the Luo nickname "Agwambo," meaning "The Mysterious One," a reference to his remarkable ability to forge alliances even with political adversaries. His loyal supporters, however, affectionately referred to him simply as "Baba" expressing their loyalty to him, notwithstanding accusations that he leveraged ethnic fault lines or engaged in opportunistic political deal-making with opponents to advance his political ambitions.

Throughout his career, Odinga played a pivotal role in promoting democracy, advocating for human rights, and maintaining a firm opposition to corruption.

The Conscience of Democracy

Despite a political career spanning over four decades, during which he contested the presidency five times between 1997 and 2022, Raila Odinga never achieved the ultimate executive office. The 2007 election was the most controversial, where a dispute over the results ignited a severe wave of violence across Kenya.

Yet, Odinga consistently adhered to the path of peaceful struggle, categorically rejecting violence or coup attempts. His dedication helped entrench the values of democracy and political pluralism in Kenya, earning him the moniker: "The Conscience of Democracy" and a symbol of peaceful opposition across the African continent.

He was instrumental in the advocacy and adoption of the 2010 Kenyan Constitution. As one of the key contributors to its drafting and a leading proponent of its enactment, the new constitution represented a fundamental shift in the nation’s political life. It established stronger principles for the separation of powers, enhanced democracy, and significantly reduced the powers of the presidency.

Odinga continued his presidential bids until 2022 and maintained a decisive leadership role in the opposition. He contributed to de-escalating political tensions through major initiatives such as the "Handshake" (following a period of sharp political conflict) and the subsequent reform efforts through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Most recently, Odinga also campaigned for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission, though he did not prevail.

Odinga leaves behind a profound legacy of peaceful struggle and a vision for an Africa that celebrates diversity and relies on the strength of politics over violence.

The passing of Raila Odinga represents a major loss for the Kenyan political ecosystem. He was one of the foremost architects of national alliances and a key figure in shaping the country's modern political life. Kenya and Africa have lost a towering political icon — a man who believed that democracy demands patience and sacrifice. He leaves behind a profound legacy of peaceful struggle and a vision for an Africa that celebrates diversity and relies on the strength of politics over violence. Like his father before him, he fought a peaceful political battle, though he passed away before realizing his deepest ambition: to lead the country from the presidential seat.

Odinga's departure raises critical questions for the future: Who will possess the vision and resolve to sustain this path of struggle without faltering? Can the opposition maintain its unity and vital cause in the absence of its historic leader?

Raila's journey and struggle offers essential lessons for future generations: persistence and resilience in the face of adversity, the importance of strong leadership in uniting people, and the necessity of safeguarding national unity. His struggle underscores that the path to change is arduous, requiring continuous resolve and a refusal to surrender — a powerful, universal lesson in maintaining faith in a cause and standing firm on principle.