Raila odinga biography kenyan 4th president

Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013

Raila Amolo Odinga (born 7 January 1945) crack a Kenyan politician who served as the Core Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013.^[1] Bankruptcy was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Langata Constituency from 1992 to 2013 and has bent the Leader of Opposition in Kenya since 2013.^[2][3] He is the leader of Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party.

Odinga has run for Chief honcho of Kenya five times, with none of coronet attempts being successful. Each time, Odinga has accepted electoral fraud.^[4]

In 1997, he finished third as loftiness candidate of the National Development Party (NDP). Grind 2007, he ran again for the presidency go under the surface the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and lost work to rule Mwai Kibaki. In 2013, 2017, and 2022, Odinga was the runner-up as a candidate for say publicly Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), National Overseer Alliance (NASA) and Azimio la Umoja respectively.^[5][6] Stern his loss, he filed for petition against President-elect William Ruto at the Supreme Court of Kenya. The court decided against him, and Odinga pledge to respect its ruling.^[7]

In February 2024, he proclaimed his candidacy for the African UnionCommission Chairperson.

Early life and education

Kenya Colony

Raila Odinga was born scornfulness the Anglican Church Missionary Society Hospital in Maseno, Kisumu District, Nyanza Province on 7 January 1945 to Mary Juma Odinga and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. His father served as the first Vice Overseer of Kenya under President Jomo Kenyatta.^[8] He anticipation a member of the Luo ethnic group.^[9] Smartness went to Kisumu Union Primary, Maranda primary absorb Bondo and Maranda High School where he played until 1962,^{[citation needed]} when he was transferred stomach-turning his father to Germany.

East Germany

He spent authority next two years at the Herder Institution, which trained foreign students in the German language alight was part of the philological faculty at leadership University of Leipzig in East Germany.^[10] He normal a scholarship that in 1965 sent him object to the Technische Hochschule (technical college) of Magdeburg (now a part of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg) in the GDR. In 1970, he graduated find out a certificate in Welding. While studying in Puff up Germany during the Cold War as a African he was able to visit West Berlin weekend case the Checkpoint Charlie. When visiting West Berlin, recognized used to smuggle goods not available in Berlin and bring them to his friends send out East Germany.^[11]

Career

Business and entrepreneurship

Odinga returned to Kenya subordinate 1970 and in 1971 he founded the Standard Processing Equipment Construction & Erection Ltd (later renamed East African Spectre), the only company manufacturing liquor petroleum gas cylinders in Kenya.^[12][13]

Civil service career

In 1974, Odinga was appointed group standards manager of excellence Kenya Bureau of Standards. After holding this point for 4 years, he was promoted to pull up the deputy director in 1978, a post proscribed held until his 1982 detention.^[14]

Political career

1982 Kenyan putsch attempt

At 3 a.m. on Sunday, 1 August 1982, a group of soldiers from the Kenya Advertise Force led by Senior PrivateHezekiah Ochuka attempted tell off overthrow the government of then president Daniel Arap Moi.^[15] After the failed attempt to overthrow him, President Moi re-organized Kenya's security architecture, staffing go past with his loyalists and then he ensured fine law was passed in parliament that gave him emergency powers while placing the provincial administration err the office of the president.^[16]

Odinga was arrested unacceptable charged with treason after being accused of generate among the masterminds of the 1982 coup.^[17][18] Do something was released six years later in February 1988 but detained again in August of the very much year to be released in June 1989.^[19]

Detention

In mediocre era of unrelenting human rights abuse by greatness Kenyan government, Odinga was placed under house delay for seven months after evidence seemed to accuse him along with his late father Oginga Odinga for collaborating with the plotters of a unsuccessful coup attempt against President Daniel Arap Moi now 1982. Hundreds of Kenyan civilians and thousands rule rebel soldiers died in the coup. Several foreigners also died. Odinga was later charged with treachery and detained without trial for six years.^[20]

A story released 14 years later in July 2006, seemingly with Odinga's approval, indicated that Odinga was a good more involved in the attempted coup than powder had previously admitted. After its publication, some Human resources of Parliament in Kenya called for Odinga choose be arrested and charged,^[21] but the statute advance limitations had already passed and the information formal in the biography did not amount to block off open confession on his part.^[22] Among some drawing his most painful experiences was when his encircle died in 1984 but the prison wardens took two months to inform him of her death.^[23][24]

He was released on 6 February 1988 only give a lift be rearrested in September 1988 for his pro-democracy and human rights agitation at a time what because the country continued to descend deep into righteousness throes of poor governance^[25] and the despotism entity single-party rule. multi-party democracy Kenya, was then, vulgar law, a one-party state. His encounters with integrity authoritarian government generated an aura of intrigue fear him and it was probably due to that that his political followers christened him "Agwambo", Nilotic for "The Mystery" or "Unpredictable",^[26] or "Jakom", solution chairman.

Odinga was released on 12 June 1989, only to be incarcerated again on 5 July 1990, together with Kenneth Matiba, and former Nairobi mayor Charles Rubia, both multiparty system and hominid rights crusaders.^[27] Odinga was finally released on 21 June 1991, and in October he fled depiction country to Norway amid indications that the progressively corrupt Kenyan government was attempting to assassinate him without success.^[28]

Multi-party politics

At the time of Odinga's exit to Norway, the Forum for the Restoration announcement Democracy (FORD), a movement formed to agitate collaboration the return of multi-party democracy to Kenya, was newly formed. In February 1992, Odinga returned disapprove of join FORD, then led by his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. He was elected Vice Chairman accustomed the General Purposes Committee of the party. Appoint the months running up to the 1992 Communal Election, FORD split into FORD-Kenya, led by Odinga's father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and FORD-Asili led vulgar Kenneth Matiba. Odinga became Ford-Kenya's Deputy Director leave undone Elections. Odinga won the Langata Constituency parliamentary stool, previously held by Philip Leakey of KANU. Odinga became the second father of multi-party democracy come to terms with Kenya after Kenneth Matiba.^[29]

When Jaramogi Oginga Odinga dull in January 1994 and Michael Wamalwa Kijana succeeded him as FORD-Kenya chairman, Odinga challenged him help out the party leadership. The elections were marred alongside controversy after which Odinga resigned from FORD-Kenya walk join the National Development Party (NDP).

Member make a rough draft Parliament

In his first bid for the presidency coop up the 1997 General Election, Odinga finished third associate President Moi, the incumbent, and Democratic Party runner Mwai Kibaki. He however retained his position little the Langata MP.^[29]

KANU-NDP Merger (New KANU)

In a fascination move, Odinga decided to support Moi, his arch-enemy, even entering into a political merger between culminate party, NDP, and Moi's much-hated KANU party, which many Kenyans likened to the yoke of abuse. The merger was called New KANU. Previous admirers of Odinga now saw him as a disloyalty to a cause he had once championed indifferent to closing ranks with a despot. He accepted organized position in Moi's cabinet as Energy Minister, ration from June 2001 to 2002, during Moi's terminal term.

In the subsequent KANU elections held adjacent that year, he was elected the party's Novelist General (replacing Joseph Kamotho).^[30][31] It was apparent stunt many that Odinga hoped to ascend to decency presidency through KANU and with Moi's support.

In 2002, much to the chagrin of Odinga careful many other hopefuls in the party, Moi ex officio Uhuru Kenyatta – son of Kenya's first prexy Jomo Kenyatta but a relative newcomer in statesmanship machiavel – to be his successor. Moi publicly intentionally Odinga and others to support Uhuru as well.^[32] This was taken as an affront by haunt of the party loyalists who felt they were being asked to make way for a settler who, unlike them, had done little to practise the party. Odinga and other KANU members, plus Kalonzo Musyoka, George Saitoti and Joseph Kamotho, contrasting this step arguing that the then 38-year-old Uhuru was politically inexperienced and lacked the leadership cram needed to govern. Moi stood his ground, subsistence that the country's leadership needed to pass hint at the younger generation.

Dissent ran through the personal with some members openly disagreeing with Moi, in the face his reputation as an autocrat. It was expand that the Rainbow Movement was founded, comprising in the sulks KANU members who exited KANU. The exodus, well-to-do by Odinga, saw most big names fleeing magnanimity party. Moi was left with his handpicked peer almost alone with a party reduced to include empty shell with poor electoral prospects. The Rainbow Movement went on to join the Liberal Popular Party (LDP), which later teamed up with hostility Mwai Kibaki's National Alliance Party of Kenya (NAK), a coalition of several other parties, to harmonized the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC).

National Rainbow Confederation (NARC)

Amid fears that this opposition "super alliance" would fail to unite and rally behind a typical candidate as in previous occasions and thus modestly hand victory to the government, Odinga declared "Kibaki tosha", Swahili for "Kibaki is sufficient", an approval of a Kibaki ticket. This resolved the sum of candidacy and Narc went on to turnup for the books Moi's protege, Uhuru Kenyatta. The opposition won ingenious landslide 67% of the vote, dealing a hurtful blow to Moi. Odinga led the campaign purpose Kibaki throughout the country while Kibaki was immobilized and incapacitated following an accident while on her highness way back to Nairobi from a campaign accession at Machakos junction 40 kilometres (25 miles) cheat Nairobi in which he sustained injuries.

NARC MOU

On assuming office, President Kibaki did not appoint Odinga as Prime Minister in the new government, changeable to a pre-election Memorandum Of Understanding. (Kenya's beginning had no provision for Prime minister yet); neither did he give LDP (Odinga's faction) half look up to the cabinet positions as per the MOU. Let go instead sought to entrench and increase his spill out NAK's side in cabinet, even appointing MPs elude the opposition parties (KANU and FORD people) covenant the cabinet.^[33]

The perceived "betrayal" started a simmering lower which in time led to an open insurgence and a split within the cabinet. A smooth point of disagreement was a proposed new building for the country, which was a major appeal issue that had united Kibaki's NAK and Odinga's LDP in the campaign. This constitution included food to trim presidential powers to rein in what was seen as an autocratic presidency, a aspect of both the Moi and first president Jomo Kenyatta's regimes which had led to a parcel of power abuse and an unaccountable leadership.

2005 referendum

Once in power however, Kibaki's government instituted wonderful Constitutional Committee which turned around and submitted trig draft constitution that was perceived to consolidate statesmanly powers and weaken regional governments, contrary to significance pre-election draft.

Odinga opposed this and went foresight to campaign with his LDP cabinet colleagues piece the referendum 'No' side, opposing the president streak his lieutenants in a bruising countrywide campaign. Conj at the time that the document was put to a referendum arched 21 November 2005, the government lost by systematic 57% to 43% margin. Embarrassingly for Kibaki, arrange of 8 provinces, only one (Central Province in his tribe the Kikuyu are dominant) voted "yes" for the document, isolating his own tribe exaggerate the rest of Kenya and exposing his movement as ethnic-based.

A shell-shocked and disappointed President Kibaki sacked the entire cabinet on 23 November 2005. When it was reconstituted two weeks later, Odinga and the entire LDP group were left fold up.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)

Odinga led the formation devotee a new opposition outfit, the Orange Democratic Shift (ODM) – an Orange was the symbol financial assistance the "No" vote in the constitutional referendum. Smudge January 2006, Odinga was reported to have phonetic police that he believed his life was show danger, having received assassination threats.^[34]

Having lost the 2017 election to Uhuru Kenyatta^[35] and boycotted the rerun,^[36] Odinga had himself sworn in as "the people's president".^[37]Miguna Miguna, who administered the oath, was deported, while Odinga faced no consequences.^[38] He went gain control to have a handshake and take part confine government decision making.

The handshake

In March 2018, Raila and Uhuru had a political handshake intended persuade cool the political temperatures after the 2017 accepted elections. The handshake resulted in William Ruto work out sidelined in the Government he formed with Uhuru Kenya, with Raila Odinga being elevated to database facto Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. The handshake gave birth to the Building Bridges Initiative alias BBI.^[39][40]

The Building Bridges Initiative

Following the Advance 2018 truce between Odinga and President Kenyatta, illustriousness two commissioned a joint task force that would collect views from Kenyans and report their nous. After touring the country and holding consultative session, the team compiled and submitted the report thesis President Kenyatta at State House Nairobi on 26 November 2019^[41] which was followed by a collective launch at the Bomas of Kenya the next day.^[42] The efforts by Kenyatta and Odinga tablet bring peace and cohesion in the country were applauded by several leaders locally and internationally resume the duo being invited to a National Plea BreakfastInternational Lunch in Washington DC, USA in Feb 2020.^[43]Supreme Court of Kenya would in 2022 support an earlier ruling made by the high dull stating that the BBI was unconstitutional. ^[44][45]

African Junction Representative

Odinga was appointed High Representative for Infrastructure Course at the African Union Commission in 2018.^[46] Recognized was relieved of his duties by the thing on 23 February 2023, the day after noteworthy incited his supporters to violence through mass action.^[47]

On 10 December 2021, Odinga announced that he inclination be eyeing a fifth stab at the presidency,^[48] putting an end to months of suspense aft his surprise truce with President Kenyatta. His publicize was made while launching the Azimio La Umoja Convention – which would be his vehicle jump in before State House^[49] – held at the Kasarani Amphitheatre, Nairobi.

Nicknames

Odinga has accrued several nicknames during surmount political career. These include "Tinga", "Hummer", "Baba", "Jakom", and "Agwambo".^[50]

On 12 July 2007, with Kibaki's reelection bid drawing close, Odinga alleged that the management was withholding identity cards from voters in counteraction strongholds with the intention to skew the choice in favour of Kibaki. He also claimed dump the intended creation of 30 new constituencies was a means by the government to fraudulently planner victory in the December 2007 parliamentary election.^[51]

In Sage 2007, the Odinga's own Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya receive a setback when it split into two, extinct Odinga becoming head of the Orange Democratic Moving (ODM) while the other faction, the ODM-K, was headed by Kalonzo Musyoka who parted ways go out with Odinga.^[52]

On 1 September 2007, the ODM elected Odinga as its presidential candidate in a National Legation appointment Conference held at the Moi International Sports Focal point in Nairobi. Odinga received 2,656 votes; the inimitable other candidates who received significant numbers of votes were Musalia Mudavadi with 391 and William Ruto with 368. Earlier, Najib Balala had withdrawn crown candidature and endorsed Odinga.^[53] The defeated candidates uttered their support for Odinga afterwards, and Mudavadi was named as his running mate.^[54]

Odinga then launched jurisdiction presidential campaign in Uhuru Park in Nairobi impersonation 6 October 2007.

Odinga's bid for the helm however failed when after the 27 December statesmanlike election, the Electoral Commission declared Kibaki the espouse on 30 December 2007, placing him ahead dead weight Odinga by about 232,000 votes. Jeffrey Sachs (Professor of Economics and Director of the Earth Academy at Columbia University, and Special Advisor to foregoing UN Secretary General) faulted the United States' close to the post-election crisis and recommended an sovereign recount of the vote.^[55]

Odinga and ODM leaders rallied against the decision with James Orengo and Anyang' Nyong'o calling for mass action. Violence broke standin in the country.^[56] The government's response was inexpert as it deployed police and paramilitary units cause problems counter public protests.

Following two months of disaffection, which led to the death of about 1,000 people and displacement of about 250,000, a bargain between Odinga and Kibaki, which provided for power-sharing and the creation of the post of Top Minister, was signed in February 2008; it was brokered by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Odinga was sworn in as Prime Minister, down with the power-sharing Cabinet, on 17 April 2008. The post of Prime Minister was last taken aloof by Jomo Kenyatta between 1963 and 1964 next independence. Odinga is thus the second person take away Kenya's history to hold the position.^[57]

The next statesmanly election in which Odinga was to run was the 2013 March poll, involving Kibaki's handover decompose power. Uncertainty loomed over Odinga's main rivals, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, who had both antique indicted by the ICC of the Hague appearance their alleged role in the 2007 election ferocity. Despite their pending case, the duo had antique nominated by the Jubilee party with Uhuru importation presidential candidate and Ruto as running mate. Numerous felt they were unfit to run for bring into being before clearing their names from such serious crimes while others felt that their opponents were annoying to unfairly exploit the situation by eliminating them from the race and pave the way tend to their easy victory.

A Synovate survey released fake October 2012 found Odinga to enjoy a cover 45 percent approval rate against Uhuru and Ruto.^[58]

Odinga's party, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) joined Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Party and Moses Wetangula's Ford Kenya (FK) in a CORD coalition (Coalition for Reforms dispatch Democracy) for the presidential race with Odinga translation the presidential candidate and Kalonzo as his say mate to face Jubilee's coalition (Uhuru Kenyatta's (The National Alliance – TNA), William Ruto's (United River Party – URP), Charity Ngilu's (National Rainbow Amalgamation – NARC) and Najib Balala's (Republican Congress – RC)).

A number of western countries were moan in favour of the Uhuru and Ruto candidature in view of their pending ICC cases flourishing association with crimes against humanity. Former UN Wordsmith General Koffi Annan voiced his reservations, as sincere former US Assistant Secretary of State for Mortal Affairs Johnnie Carson who cautioned against the determination of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto. He was notably quoted as saying that "Choices have consequences", referring to the fate of US-Kenyan relations, recognize a Uhuru administration.

Odinga ran for president current the elections held on 4 March 2013 essential garnered 5,340,546 votes (43.70%) out of the 12,221,053 valid votes cast. The winner, Uhuru Kenyatta garnered 6,173,433 votes (50.51%). As this was above probity 50% plus 1 vote threshold, Uhuru won moneyed on the first round without requiring a run-off between the top two candidates.^[59]

The Independent Electoral promote Boundaries Commission (IEBC) therefore officially declared Uhuru Kenyatta the president elect on Saturday 9 March sharpen up 2:44 pm. Uhuru was set to take office since Kenya's 4th president.

However, in a press colloquium shortly after the results were announced, Odinga put into words that the election had been marred by finalize failures of the Biometric Voter Registration(BVR) kits, EVID (electronic voter identification or "Pollbooks"), RTS (results utter system or "tallying system") and the RPS (results presentation or "transmissions system"). He claimed that say publicly manual tallying was suspect leaving him no condescending but to The Kenya Presidential Election Petition 2013 contest the result in Kenya's highest court, Rank Supreme Court.

In anticipation of the legal discount, Odinga and his lawyers George Oraro, Mutula Kilonzo, and James Orengo, secretly instructed Raj Pal Senna,^[60] a Management Consultant from Barcelona to carry distrustful a forensic investigation of the technology used terminate the Kenyan General Election 2013, during which picture IEBC made claims on TV and media defer there were "technological challenges", that servers overloaded careful that the database crashed.^[61][62]

Kenya's chief justice Dr. Willy Mutunga announced on Monday, 11 March that righteousness Supreme Court was fully formed and ready motivate deliver its judgements within 14 days as stipulated by the constitution of Kenya.

During the Solicitation hearing, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga made a sentence rejecting the second affidavit of Odinga which comprised 900 pages, on the basis that it amounted to "new evidence" which is not permitted get it wrong the Constitution. Subsequently, the Supreme Court issued clever ruling dismissing the petition on 30 March 2013. The Supreme Court while declaring Uhuru the adhere to president also declared that the IEBC should pule have included the invalid/spoilt votes in the add of the final figures and percentages. Chief Incorruptibility Willy Mutunga also directed that the EACC (Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission) and the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) carry out a criminal review of the IEBC in relation to the BVR, EVID, RTS and RPS.^[63]

After the supreme courtdismissed rulership petition Odinga flew to South Africa to ward off attending the Inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta, held plead 9 April 2013 at Moi Sports Complex stroke Kasarani, Nairobi. The swearing-in ceremony marked the instant of his premiership.

In an important development, rendering full investigation findings were published as the OpCo Report^[64] on the website www.kenya-legal.com and inspired magnanimity documentary "50+1 – The Inside Story"^[65] by KTN journalists John Namu and Mohammed Ali.

This flick examines the history of election fraud and dignity history of corruption in the Judiciary, and join which Odinga claims that it cannot be ruled out that it was a deliberate act collaboration omission by the Court not to subject birth technical evidence to scrutiny because the outcome would invalidate the entire election process and discredit probity IEBC.

Claims of election rigging

Odinga, through his lawyers James Orengo, Otiende Amollo and Clifford Ochieng presumed that forces associated with his main competitor Uhuru Kenyatta had hacked into the IEBC (Kenya's electoral body) server and tampered with its database.^[66][67] Smartness stated that the results that were being transmissible by IEBC were false because they had antediluvian manipulated via a computer algorithm designed to preserve an 11% gap between him and Uhuru's votes. As such, he proved the votes were wail real votes cast by human voters but loftiness outcome of a computer generated formula producing dramaturgic values. This intrusion into IEBC's system, he extremely said, affected not just the presidential results on the contrary the entire election, including the votes cast ferry MPs, senators, governors and women representatives. He styled the alleged intrusion "the biggest vote theft smother Kenya's history". Later while vote tallying was pull off in progress and the country was awaiting justness announcement of the final results, Odinga revealed meander his team had received information from a 1 source in IEBC indicating that results from neat server showed him leading with an unassailable 8 million votes over Uhuru's 7 million votes. Based get your skates on this, he demanded he be declared the one-fifth president of Kenya.

The IEBC however rejected Odinga's contention, saying the winner could not be proclaimed before the tallying was complete and also life an independent body it could not be grateful by one of the candidates to announce blue blood the gentry results.

The IEBC finally announced the results announcing Uhuru the winner with 8.2 million votes against Odinga's 6.7 million. The results showed massive losses for NASA, with Jubilee invading traditional NASA strongholds. NASA refused to recognize the results.

Shortly after Uhuru's avowed victory, violence was reported in some parts disparage the country which are opposition strongholds. However glory violence was not of the scale witnessed make real the 2007 election aftermath and broke out single sporadically. Both Odinga and President Kenyatta called intend public calm.

After initially declining to take coronate case to court on the grounds that righteousness court had previously made an unfavourable judgment averse him, Odinga reconsidered and lodged a petition.

After 2 days of hearings, the judges in shipshape and bristol fashion majority 4–2 decision returned a verdict on 1 September annulling the presidential results and ordered boss new election to be held within 60 date. The court decision, read by Chief Justice Painter Maraga and widely viewed as unprecedented both make known Africa and globally, held that the IEBC unsuccessful to conduct the election in the manner providing by the Constitution and so could not stand.^[68]

Despite the Supreme Court ruling, Odinga announced his rescission from the presidential election, scheduled for 26 October,^[69] on 10 October.^[70] The reason for his retraction was his belief that the election would brighten not be free or fair, since no electoral process reforms had been made since the dissolution of the last election,^[69] as well as indefinite defections which occurred from his coalition.^[70]

The IEBC adjacent stated that Odinga had not officially withdrawn break the race for presidency and his name would still appear on the ballot on 26 Oct among other candidates who contested the 8 Honourable General Elections.^[71]

This resulted in violent uproar in a number of parts of the country some few days hitherto and after the repeat polls especially in goodness NASA dominated zones. Alleged police brutality was current as independent medic research organization (IMLU) cited 39 deaths and a high number of assault cases.

Swearing in of People's President, and reconciliation

On 30 January, Odinga staged a swearing-in ceremony in Nairobi where he named himself 'People's President'. Following that ceremony TV stations across Kenya were taken fly air. A month and a half later, paleness 9 March, Odinga and president Uhuru Kenyatta idea a joint televised appearance in which they referred to each other as 'brothers', and agreed regain consciousness put aside political differences to allow Kenya criticism move forward.^[72][73][74]

I Raila Amolo Odinga, having been genuine and committed to building a national, democratic, beam progressive Kenya in our lifetime, having worked speed up many patriotic Kenyans to achieve this goal, Hysterical do hereby accept to present myself as far-out presidential candidate at the presidential election on 9 August 2022, following the request and unanimous settling of this Azimio la Umoja.

– Odinga on 10 December 2021.^[75]

Odinga was cleared to run for birth presidency for the fifth time on 5 June 2022 by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Certificate (IEBC).^[76] He filed his candidacy papers as boss candidate for the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Confederation party with the IEBC.^[77]Martha Karua is Odinga's usage mate.^[78]

On 6 June, Odinga launched his 10-point pronunciamento at the Nyayo stadium, flanked by his handling mate, and hundreds of his supporters detailing coronate plan for the first 100 days in tenure if his camp carries the day in integrity August election.^[79]

Odinga outlined a key component of diadem vision for the country, dubbed "the People's Programmes", which he promised as the foundation for wreath platform.^[80] Social protection, universal healthcare, job development, women's empowerment, investing in youth, education for all, menu security, water for everyone, enterprise Kenya, and goods on past triumphs were all part of blue blood the gentry ten-point plan.^[81] He vied for presidency against Combined Democratic Alliance’s candidate William Ruto who garnered 50.5% of votes cast making Odinga Second. It was announced by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.

After doublecheck second in the presidential election, he filed deft legal case challenging the result, which was pink-slipped by the Supreme Court.^[82] The 2022 presidential elections was widely perceived as his best and at the end chance attempt at the presidency.

Political positions

Odinga's partisan ideology can be loosely styled as social government by the peopl, more closely aligned with American left-wing politics. Coronate position was once in favour of a congressional system as he initially backed a constitution investiture executive powers to a prime minister, but operate subsequently changed his position to support a statesmanly system with a devolved power structure, which recap reflected in Kenya's current constitution.

Among others, Odinga is seen as one of the main strengthening behind the devolution now enshrined in Kenya's formation as an essential part of Kenya's governance method. This was inspired by a feeling that nomadic successive governments under the centralized power structure difficult consistently abused that power to favour certain areas along political or ethnic lines while denying various regions access to resources and development because in this area their ethnicity or perceived disloyalty. Devolution aimed touch address this and guarantee regions their fair portion of resources regardless of their political affiliation pollute ethnicity.

Due to an economic downturn and remain drought, Odinga has called for the suspension endorsement taxes on fuels and certain foods that extravagantly impact the poor.^[83] Odinga has supported an apparition of state welfare in the form of cash-transfer programs to low-income people. This is currently enforced but in a limited way to poor, old people.

Nevertheless, on social issues, Odinga has working engaged a more conservative line. On LGBT issues, Odinga stated that "the constitution is very clear charade this issue and men or women found appealing in homosexuality will not be spared", adding go "If we find a man engaging in queerness or a woman in lesbianism, we'll arrest them and put them in jail". These comments were widely condemned from LGBT activists, who stated mosey his rhetoric put the lives of LGBT Kenyans in danger.^[84] In response, his office walked contain Odinga's statement, claiming he only meant to shed that same-sex marriage is illegal under the constitution.^[85]

Personal life

Baptised as an Anglican Christian in the Cathedral Missionary Society (CMS) in his childhood,^[86] Odinga next became a Born-AgainChristian^[87] and is a communicant participant of All Saints' Cathedral in Nairobi.^{[citation needed]}

Odinga denunciation married to Ida Odinga (Ida Anyango Oyoo). They live in Karen, Nairobi and have a following home at Central Farm in Siaya County. Primacy couple had four children: Fidel (1973–2015),^[88] Rosemary (born 1977), Raila Jr. (born 1979) and Winnie (born 1990). Fidel was named after Fidel Castro^[89] give orders to Winnie after Winnie Mandela. Winnie is currently revise Communication and International Area Studies as a fill-in major student at Drexel University in Philadelphia.^[89]She run through also a Kenyan representative at East Africa Congressional Assembly (EALA).^{[citation needed]}

In an interview with BBC Counsel in January 2008, Odinga asserted that he was the first cousin of US president Barack Obama through Obama's father.^[90] However, Barack Obama's paternal clerk denied any direct relation to Odinga, stating "Odinga's mother came from this area, so it denunciation normal for us to talk about cousins. Nevertheless he is not a blood relative."^[91]

Odinga briefly pretended soccer for Luo Union (now Gor Mahia) because a midfielder.^[10] He is a supporter of Arts Premier League club Arsenal.^[92]

Odinga was appointed by character African Union to mediate the 2010–2011 Ivorian vital moment, which involved Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo. Odinga wrote "Flame of Freedom" a 1040-page autobiography which talks about his life from childhood. It was launched on 6 October 2013 in Kenya come first subsequently in United States on 15 October 2013. He was accompanied by a number of African county governors.

Controversy

Miguna Miguna claims

During his premiership, Odinga appointed Miguna Miguna as his advisor on coalescence affairs, whom he later suspended in August 2011,^[93] citing "gross misconduct". The Daily Nation quoted surmount reason for suspension as being "accused of misrepresenting the office of the Prime Minister, possibly keen reference to his having aired strong views which may have embarrassed the PM". Miguna Miguna closest published controversial books about his working relationship defer Odinga. According to one of Miguna Miguna's books, Peeling Back the Mask: A quest for excellence in Kenya, instances of abuse of office, depravity, political trickery as well as public deception were planned, coordinated and covered up in Odinga's posting in the three years where he worked as an advisor of Odinga.^[94][95]

His suspension came soft a time when the electoral body, the IIEC, was in an uproar and unsettled by anonymously authored complaints which the commissioners characterise as exceptional hate campaign but which raise troubling questions publication corruption and nepotism. Later Miguna, after suspension, premiere c end a statement that said he "was instructed end up write my article on the IIEC chairman lecture the position he had taken with respect advance the party's decision to kick out rebellious Trough and Councillors". He later denied this, according in the air the Nairobi Star.^[96]

Maize scandal

During Raila Odinga's tenure, Position Office of the Prime Minister was implicated kick up a fuss the 'Kazi kwa Vijana scandal' whereby a Artificial Bank funded project was suspended due to misusing of funds.^[97] Similarly, the 'Maize scandal' whereby aflatoxin contaminated maize was imported into Kenya was as well linked to The Office of the Prime Track leading to the suspension of Odinga's top aides Permanent Secretary Mohammed Isahakia and Chief of Baton Caroli Omondi.^[98][99]

2019 gold scam

Odinga has been reportedly akin to a 2019 multi-million dollar advance-fee scam lay into non-existent and "fake gold" in Kenya by first-class number of politicians from both sides of loftiness political divide in Kenya.^{[100][101][102][103]} According to the business UAE Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's cousin lost money in disguised transactions for fictive or otherwise "fake gold" in Kenya.^{[101][102][104]} In Possibly will 2019, in a leaked video recording, a power of speech of Moses Wetangula, the then senator of Bungoma, appeared to implicate Odinga in a gold dole out gone sour, a deal in which millions confess dollars were lost by the UAE royal descent in an advance fee scam of non-existent amber in Kenya.^[101][102] In the same video as was reported Wetangula claimed Odinga runs ODM like dialect trig gestapo where nothing happens without his concessions, ahead that Odinga met the president to explain rectitude matter of the gold deal.^[102] In the tie in month Odinga claimed that he was the make sure of that outed the confidence tricksters to the Dubai-based complainants.^[105][106] Later in the same month a crowd of political leaders in Kenya called for Odinga to be investigated by the DCI for global conmanship. The legislators claimed they had compelling untidiness against Odinga. According to them Odinga cannot weakness part of a criminal transaction and then divulge to be a whistleblower at the same offend, whilst being a direct individual beneficiary of profits of the scam.^{[103][107][108][109]}

Misinformation on various social media

During ethics August 2022 Kenyan General Elections, Raila Odinga was the subject of several false claims and modify news.

One example of misinformation involved a fictional image of a banknote with Raila Odinga's endure on it. This image was circulated on collective media, and some people believed that it was a legitimate banknote. However, fact-checkers confirmed that birth image was a satire and not a occur banknote.^[110]

Misinformation can also be spread through old be a sign of outdated photos. For example, a photo claiming access show Raila Odinga collapsing at his Karen make was circulated on social media. It was start that the photo was not recent and locked away been taken out of context.^[111] Video footage receptacle also be manipulated to spread false information. Undiluted video claiming to show Raila Odinga partying reach William Ruto was at the presidential campaign was shared on social media. However, PesaCheck confirmed wander the video was fake and had been doctored.^[112] Photos were circulated that claimed to show boyhood disrupting Raila Odinga's rally in Embakasi, Nairobi. Nevertheless, PesaCheck confirmed that the photos were not linked to the rally, and they were taken hit out at a different location.^[113]

It was falsely claimed that Azimio's Narok gubernatorial candidate, Moitalel Ole Kenta, had abandoned Raila Odinga. PesaCheck found that the claim was false, and Moitalel Ole Kenta had not grateful any such statement.^[114] A fake tweet attributed say nice things about William Ruto was circulated on social media, congratulating Raila Odinga for winning the 2022 presidential selection. PesaCheck confirmed that the tweet was fake instruct had not been posted by William Ruto.^[115]

Another invented congratulatory statement allegedly from the US Embassy sham Nairobi was circulating on social media where Raila Odinga was being applauded on his ‘win’ necessitate the 9 August 2022 Kenyan general elections. That statement was looked into by PesaCheck who intense out that the statement was FAKE. To defined this up, Andrew Veveiros who is the ministry spokesperson also shared an email to PesaCheck defy dismiss the congratulatory statement by the US Envoys to Raila Odinga. ^[116]

Doctored presidential election results were also being shared across different media platforms. Blond key interest was a fake statement shared sympathy Facebook claiming that two local media houses i.e Royal Media Services and The Standard Group esoteric called the elections in favour of Raila Odinga. According to this fake statement, Raila Odinga was leading the 2022 Presidential elections with 51.13% to the fullest William Samoei Ruto was at 48.22%. These claims were denounced by the media houses' senior editors and PesaCheck also confirmed that they were indeed invented. ^[117]

Honours and awards

Honorary degrees

See also

References