Opposition leader Raila Odinga is clearly ageing and approaching his political retirement, either willingly or naturally.
This will see him not only leave the national political arena but also vacate the seat he has held for close to two decades as the Luo paramount political chief.
He inherited the seat from his father and first Vice President Jaramogi Oginga, who enjoyed the region’s full support since the nation acquired her independence.
However, Odinga might be forced to hold on a little longer and wait for a new family member to shoot up and take over, basing on the apparent unwillingness by his allies to prove their will to take over.
Despite being surrounded by a group of very able and influential leaders, including his close ally and Siaya Senator James Orengo, none of them is keen on taking over from him.
This is most likely as a result of his unwillingness to let the seat slip out, or fear from his possible heirs, after anticipating a terrible reaction from his millions of supporters.
With the inheritance at times entailing rebellion, Raila has sealed all loopholes, making it suicidal to go against his commands in the region.
Orengo being the most probable one to take over, the former Ugenya MP is among the leaders who cannot dare to take the route after learning the hard way in 2002.
A good number of the younger set of leaders are also too excited about being in leadership slots and are using most of their time attacking others in a bid to gain popularity for future ambitions.
The remaining set has taken a position as his die-hard protectors who are more interested in protecting him against external forces than assisting him in leading the great community.
This might force Raila to either pass the power down to his eldest daughter Rosemary who has also shown her political interest, or his nephew Jaoko Oburu who is his elder brother Oburu Oginga’s son.
#hivisasaoriginal