Raila Odinga is a Kenyan leader and politician popularly known as Agwambo . His political career has not been a bed of roses as the head of state has endured a lot of harsh treatment in his quest for democracy in Kenya. Raila is a noble and loving politician who has a large following, especially in western Kenya. Despite his several unsuccessful attempts to become President of Kenya; Raila definitely remains an inspiration and role model for many Kenyans, especially the youth.
Raila Odinga Biography, Age and Family
Raila Amolo Odinga was born to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his wife Mary Ajuma Odinga on January 7, 1945 at the Maseno Church Missionary Society Hospital in Kisumu District, Nyanza Province, Kenya.
Raila’s father married five different women and produced seventeen children, including Raila. His siblings include: Oburu, Amolo, Wenwa Akinyi, Beryl Achieng’Odima, Omondi, Shadrack Oswe, Ruth Adhiambo, Caroline Walkowa Akinyi, Isaac Omondi, Emily Onyango, Pauline Adhiambo, Kevin Opiyo, Lemmy Odongo, Corazon Acquino, and Albert Adur Wilson Ating’a.
Despite coming from a large family, Raila Odinga was able to attend good schools growing up. Some of the prominent schools he attended include; Kisumu Elementary School, Maranda Elementary School and Maranda Secondary School. In 1962 he finished his Abitur and went to Germany, where he enrolled at the University of Leipzig. From there he went to Magdeburg University, where he obtained a Master of Science in mechanical engineering in 1970. He also studied at the University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Political career, facts
Raila Odinga’s father, Jaramogi Ajuma OgingaOdinga (1911-1994) was the first Vice President of Kenya alongside Jomo Kenyatta (the first President of Kenya). Jaramogi was one of the legendary politicians involved in liberating Kenya from British rule. His brave and fierce struggle led him to raise two of his sons, Raila and Oburu, to become well-respected leaders in the history of Kenyan politics as well.
Both Raila Odinga and his father were members of Parliament at the same time. As father and son, the duo served as MPs between 1992 and 1994; A very rare opportunity never seen before by the Kenyan Parliament. At the same time, Raila was in the Kenyan Parliament along with his brother Oburu Odinga.
According to the available records, Raila is one of the Kenyan politicians who have been in various political parties. He was a member of the National Development Party (NDP), KANU, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the ODM. His calculated strategies aimed at building a formidable opposition that would allow him to oust incumbent presidents.
If there is one Kenyan politician who has fought Raila Amolo Odinga has made four good but failed attempts in the all-important position to become President of Kenya. He made his first attempt in 1997 but finished third to then-President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.
In 2007 Raila made his second attempt at the presidency via the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket. This time he finished second to Mwai Kibaki amid controversy. After the disputed 2007 election, Raila Odinga formed a coalition government with President Mwai Kibaki, a move that ended the post-election violence that had divided the country down the middle. Later, in April 2008, Odinga took over as Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya (Second in Chief).
In March 2013, Raila again finished second to Uhuru Kenyatta in the controversy and appeal-ridden general election.
No later than August 8, 2017 general elections, for which Raila again fought for the presidency, however, was still second to incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, Odinga rejected the election result and challenged it in court. A rehearsal was ordered by the court and set for October 26, but Raila refused to attend due to a lack of electoral reform to ensure fairness. This led to Kenyatta’s victory in the second election. Anyway , Nairobi News reported on January 30, 2018 that Raila Odinga was “sworn in” as “People’s President” at Uhuru Park.
Over the course of his rough and tumultuous political career, Raila Odinga has been imprisoned more than once. He was under house arrest for 76 months after being linked to a failed coup attempt. This was one of the darkest days in Kenya (1982) when many civilians lost their lives. He was later charged with treason while serving six years in prison. After his release from prison in June 1989, Raila was arrested again a year later, along with Charles Rubia and Kenneth Matiba. He was later released after a year and went into exile in Norway.
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Aside from politics, Raila Odinga was once a midfielder for the Luo Union football club, now popularly known as Gor Mahia. This is the reason why the politician takes a keen interest in Kenyan football events and hardly ever misses a major football match involving Kenya’s Harambee Stars. Most Kenyans recognize him as one of Arsenal Football Club’s die-hard fans.
Raila Odinga wife and children
Raila Odinga is happily married to Ida Odinga (Ida Anyango Oyoo). They live in Karen, Nairobi in Kenya. Their marriage is blessed with four wonderful children – Fidel (1973–2015),Rosemary (born 1977), Raila Jr. (born 1979) and Winnie (born 1990).
Does the name Fidel sound familiar to you? You guessed it right; Fidel Odinga named after the late Cuban communist and revolutionary politician who ruled the Republic of Cuba as Prime Minister. Sadly, in 2015, Fidel Odinga died of complications from food poisoning after a night out with friends. His family described him as a healthy young man who was at his best in the early hours before his death. He died in his father’s arms. one of the worst things that can happen to parents.
On the plus side, it is interesting to note that the name of Raila’s last daughter, Winnie , was given to the former President of South Africa’s wife, Winnie Mandela, out of admiration.
house and wealth
Raila has two panel homes, one in Karen,Nairobi and the second home at Central Farm in Siaya County. He shares these qualities with his family and uses them for personal (family) and business purposes.
Recently, Raila Odinga’s net worth was estimated to be around $250 million.