The Kenyan social media space has been buzzing with calls for Raila Odinga’s nomination to this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Whether it is a genuine move by Kenyans who feel that the former Prime minister should be appreciated for his efforts on the African continent or if it is just a long shot at an award, that is yet to be established.

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Here, we look at a few peace initiatives that Raila has been involved in and which makes him a suitable Nobel Peace Award Laureate:

1. The 2008 Grand Coalition formation

Though being one of the people on the opposing sides in the 2007 general elections that sparked the unforgettable post-election violence in Kenya Raila has been lauded by many for reconsidering his stand. 

The former Prime Minister agreed to mediation talks that were led by former Secretary-General to the United Nations, Kofi Annan. These negotiations saw the formation of the Grand Coalition government in Kenya by the Party of National Unity and the Orange Democratic Movement, with Raila Odinga assuming the position of Prime Minister.

2.  2010-2011 Ivory Coast Power Stalemate

In the disputed 2010 polls that were held in Ivory Coast, the then president, Laurent Gbagbo was beaten by a landslide by Alassane Ouattara. Gbagbo would, however, cling to power and thus lead to instability in the country. 

Raila Odinga, then as the Prime Minister of Kenya, was called in as the chief mediator by the African Union to lead the negotiations that would bring stability in Ivory Coast. Though not successful, the efforts that Raila put in into striking of a deal between the two leaders eventually resulted in peace being restored in Ivory Coast. 

3. The handshake

After the disputed August 8, 2017 polls in Kenya last, Raila went ahead to keep his word of swearing himself in as the ‘people’s president of Kenya’. 

This led to there being a tense situation in the country and a lot of people calling for there to be negotiations between Raila and President Uhuru Kenyatta. Early this year, Raila Odinga agreed to end the stalemate by coming tougher with President Uhuru and the now all too famous handshake has become a symbol of national unity. 

4. South Sudan Power Stalemate

Since its independence from Sudan, South Sudan has experienced a fierce power tussle between President Salva Kiir and the then Vice President Riek Machar. 

The tussle culminated in a serious humanitarian crisis that has brought the attention of the world to South Sudan. In May this year, Raila Odinga while representing IGAD and AU came in as a mediator and the progress of the negotiations this far has been positive with both sides welcoming his intervention. 

It is these initiatives that have led Kenyans to believe that Raila would be best suited to scoop the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.

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