The death of Ford-Kenya chairman Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1994 left a promising opposition outfit in shambles.
According to a former leader of the dreaded Bagdad Boys and head of former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa’s security team, Audi Ogad, the rivalry between current Senate Minority leader James Orengo and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga killed Ford-Kenya's promising future.
The now human rights activist and peace crusader points out that Raila wanted to deputise Kijana Wamalwa after the demise of his father.
However, Wamalwa's decision to support Orengo as his deputy forced the now ODM leader to go for the top seat against the former Vice President.
“Raila initially wanted to contest as Wamalwa’s first vice-chairman against Orengo bust changed his mind and went for the top seat after learning Wamalwa was supporting the Ugenya MP. Things got worse when it emerged that both sides had their own list of delegates,” recalls Ogada as quoted by the Standard.
Raila's decision to oppose Wamalwa at Thika Stadium in 1995 led to chaotic scenes that marked the start of opposition wrangles.
The two were declared party chairman by their respective factions. Raila later resigned from the party and formed the National Development Party (NDP).
This blurred a promising future Oginga Odinga had envisioned for Kenya's opposition.