By Grace Otieno and Fred Oluoch
Kenyans woke up to the news that the people of Raila Odinga have been incorporated into the government
It is not going to be easy because Gen-Z protesters disagree with Raila the person they took as the saviour to be in bed with the William Ruto government killing them.
News that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) , chairman John Mbadi was nominated to be the cabinet Secretary for Treasury is still sinking in.
The question is, why is Raila saving Ruto?. A well-known personality in Kenyan politics, Raila Odinga, has experienced many governments since President Daniel Arap Moi’s time.
His decades-long political career has been characterised by noteworthy accomplishments and controversies, which have substantially impacted Kenya’s political environment.
Born in 1945, Raila Odinga came from a politically engaged family. His father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was the first Vice President of Kenya.
He became well-known for being an outspoken supporter of democracy and human rights, especially under President Daniel Arap Moi’s totalitarian regime. Odinga’s vocal opposition to Moi’s government and support of multi-party democracy and reforms defined his early political career.
A group of junior army officers, mostly from the Kenya Air Force, attempted to topple President Moi’s administration on August 1, 1982. Kenya was taken aback by this coup attempt, which left the country in a state of uncertainty and terror.
However, by day’s end, the coup was overthrown and President Moi took back power thanks to the quick action of loyalist elements inside the military, spearheaded by the Kenya Army. Raila Odinga, along with other opposition leaders, was accused of being involved in the planning and execution of the coup.
When Odinga unexpectedly agreed to become the Minister of Energy in Moi’s 1997 cabinet, reactions were divided; proponents saw it as a calculated move towards bringing about change from within, while detractors charged him with betraying the opposition’s demands for political reform.
Raila Odinga emerged as a key player in Kenyan politics after Moi’s reign came to an end in 2002. He was instrumental in the formation of the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), which propelled Mwai Kibaki to victory in the historic elections of 2002.
Odinga was Minister of Energy under President Kibaki from 2001 to 2002, and then Minister of Roads, Public Works, and Housing under President Kibaki from 2003 to 2005. Although there were setbacks and political scheming during his time in these positions, he made efforts to enhance government and infrastructure.
After breaking with President Kibaki’s administration in 2005 over disagreements over constitutional reforms and the fight against corruption, Raila Odinga founded the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which swiftly grew to become a powerful political force opposing Kibaki’s Party of National Unity (PNU). The 2007 presidential election was fiercely contested, with claims of electoral fraud and rigging leading to widespread violence. Odinga’s refusal to accept the results of the election escalated the political crisis, which culminated in a power-sharing agreement mediated by foreign mediators.
In April 2008, Raila Odinga became prime minister by the power-sharing arrangement, which was a major turning point in Kenya’s political history. He oversaw programmes for economic development, pushed for national unity, and reformed institutions while serving as prime minister.
Efforts to carry out the agenda for constitutional reform, such as the 2010 adoption of a new constitution that established new governance institutions and decentralised power, characterised his term.
Following the dissolution of the Grand Coalition government in 2013, Raila Odinga has continued to play a significant role in Kenyan politics. Amidst accusations of electoral manipulation and irregularities, he ran for president in both 2013 and 2017.
His political career has been defined by political realignments and alliances inside Kenya, which is indicative of his flexibility and strategic intelligence.
Since the two leaders shook hands in March 2018, Raila Odinga played a major role in Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration. In light of this agreement, Raila was designated as the High Representative for Infrastructural Development in Africa by the African Union, a position that aims to improve infrastructural connectivity throughout the continent.
This action marked a dramatic political realignment in Kenya, intended to promote harmony and stability in the wake of the divisive 2017 presidential election.
A recent alleged handshake between William Ruto and Raila Odinga has generated a great deal of controversy and national discourse. Despite not being officially confirmed by either party, several political ploys and declarations have alluded to the handshake.
It alludes to a possible alliance or collaboration between Raila and Ruto, two politicians who have long held opposing views in Kenya. Strong responses and eyebrows have been raised by this apparent collusion.
In the hopes that it will promote collaboration and growth, supporters see it as a practical step towards national stability and unity. But some are sceptical, doubting the alliance’s sincerity as well as the underlying intentions of both leaders.
People worry that it might maintain current power structures or divert attention from important concerns about the youth, such as education reform and unemployment. All things considered, the youth’s response highlights their engaged participation in political developments and cautious optimism for a better future.
The political journey that Raila Odinga has taken through Kenya’s governments since the Moi era demonstrates his ongoing power and impact on the political landscape of the nation.
Through his opposition involvement, cabinet appointments, and leadership posts, Odinga has continuously influenced Kenyan discourse on democracy, governance, and development. His legacy is characterised by both successes and disagreements, which capture the nuances and difficulties of Kenya’s democratic development.
Kenya has a robust and dynamic political landscape, with Raila Odinga being a prominent figure whose influence is felt in the nation’s political corridors as well as in the hearts of its citizens. Because of this, he is a crucial player in Kenya’s ongoing political evolution.
