Raila Odinga, a name synonymous with Kenyan politics, has often been at the forefront of shaping the nation’s political landscape. His career, marked by determination and resilience, has been defined by a paradoxical relationship with power.
Throughout his journey, a consistent trend emerges: whenever Raila has aligned with the ruling government, it has led to a loss of his political momentum and alliances.
Raila’s political trajectory began in the early 1990s when he joined FORD-Kenya, led by his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. However, a fallout with key figures within the party saw him form the National Development Party (NDP) in 1994.
His bid for the presidency in 1997 was unsuccessful, largely due to his lack of strong political backing. In hindsight, his decision to break away from FORD-Kenya deprived him of the resources and network needed to launch a formidable presidential campaign.
The real political misstep, however, came in 2002 when Raila chose to ally with the ruling KANU party. His hope of succeeding President Moi was dashed when the outgoing leader instead endorsed Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor.
Raila’s exit from KANU and his shift to the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) found him without a clear path to the presidency. Although NARC won the 2002 election, Raila’s move to cooperate with the government ultimately delayed his own political ascension.
In 2007, Raila once again ran for president, but the disputed results led to post-election violence and a power-sharing arrangement with President Mwai Kibaki. Raila’s decision to join Kibaki’s government as Prime Minister diluted his standing as a strong opposition figure.
The Grand Coalition Government also became the backdrop for the indictment of political rivals, including Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, leading to a loss of key support.
The 2018 handshake between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta was yet another controversial move that alienated him from his traditional opposition base.
While it aimed at national unity, it resulted in Raila losing significant political ground, including key allies such as Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula.
His 2022 presidential bid, backed by Uhuru, resulted in another loss, reinforcing the perception that aligning with the government weakens Raila’s political influence.
Raila Odinga’s history suggests that his political strength thrives in opposition, where he builds grassroots support and challenges the status quo.
By Newshub