Raila Amolo Odinga (born 1945) is the son of [[Oginga Odinga Oginga Odinga.md|Jaramogi Oginga Odinga]] Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the most prominent Luo political figure of the post-Jaramogi era. Subjected to detention without trial and torture under Daniel arap Moi, Raila emerged in the multi-party period as the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and a four-time presidential candidate. His role as Prime Minister under Mwai Kibaki (2008-2013) and his controversial "Handshake" with Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 have made him a central (and divisive) figure in Kenyan politics.
Key Facts
- Early life and detention (1946-1991): Born in 1945 to Jaramogi and educated at St. Mary's School Nairobi and university in East Germany, Raila returned to Kenya in the 1980s. He was immediately targeted by Moi's regime for his family name and his activism. He was detained without trial between 1982-1988 and again from 1989-1991, during which he reportedly suffered torture
- Conditions of detention: Raila has described harsh prison conditions, solitary confinement, and physical assault during detention. A police officer allegedly beat him with a wooden table leg during one interrogation. These experiences marked him permanently and became central to his political identity
- Multiparty democracy and ODM (1991-2002): After his release, Raila contested elections in the multiparty period. He founded the National Democratic Party (NDP) and later merged it with Kibaki's movement ahead of the 2002 election, contributing to Kibaki's victory over KANU
- 2007 presidential election: Raila ran for president under the ODM banner, appearing to lead in polling and early results. When the Electoral Commission declared Kibaki the winner after an abrupt halt to vote counting, Raila contested the result and called for mass protests. This dispute triggered the 2007-2008 post-election violence that killed approximately 1,200 people
- Prime Minister (2008-2013): The disputed election was resolved through international mediation led by Kofi Annan and Samuel Koigi. A power-sharing agreement made Kibaki President and Raila Prime Minister. During his tenure, Raila oversaw a constitutional reform process that resulted in the 2010 Constitution, which devolved power and created new institutions
- 2013 and 2017 presidential elections: Raila lost the 2013 election to Uhuru Kenyatta (his former political rival) and the 2017 election to Kenyatta again. Both elections were contested and sparked lesser episodes of violence
- The Handshake (March 2018): In a dramatic reversal, Raila and Uhuru Kenyatta publicly embraced ("the Handshake") in March 2018, ending their electoral competition. This reconciliation shocked Kenyan politics and was interpreted as elite accommodation that excluded Deputy President William Ruto
- 2022 election and AU nomination: Raila lost the 2022 presidential election to William Ruto, his third consecutive defeat. However, in 2025, Raila was nominated by the African Union to serve as its Commission Chair, a significant diplomatic prize
- Significance as Luo leader: Raila has been the unquestioned political voice of the Luo community since the late 1980s, playing the role that his father Jaramogi played before him. His conflicts with Kikuyu presidents (Kibaki, Kenyatta) and later Kalenjin president Ruto have reinforced Luo ethnic identity and grievance narratives
The Cost of Opposition
Raila's career demonstrates both the possibilities and limits of ethnic-based politics in Kenya. His detention, presidential defeats, and vulnerability to marginalization despite his prominence show how the Luo have been excluded from the presidency across multiple administrations.
See Also
Siaya County, Homa Bay County, Migori County, Tom Mboya, Oginga Odinga, Grace Ogot, Benga Music, Lake Victoria