The lives of opposition leader Raila Odinga and his father and the nation's first Vice President Jaramogi Odinga Odinga are marred with many similarities, especially on their political moves and destinations.
Jaramogi fiercely fought for first President Jomo Kenyatta's presidency and pushed for his release from detention at the tail end of the colonial era, even turning down an offer by the colonial administration to take over as Prime Minister and preferring Kenyatta instead.
A very similar scenario was witnessed when his son Raila went round the nation campaigning for retired President Daniel Moi in 2002 under his 'Kibaki Tosha' slogan, and in both cases, their preferred candidates ended up carrying the day.
When Kenya became a republic in 1964, Jaramogi was sworn in as the Vice President, with Kenyatta as his boss, but the two would later disagree over diplomatic relations. Consequently, Jaramogi resigned in 1966 and unsuccessfully tried to capture to the top post severally after.
Just like his father, Raila would later fall out with Kibaki who had appointed him the Minister of Roads and Public Works, abandoning the post in November 2005, before vying against Kibaki in the bloody 2007 presidential poll where Kibaki was pronounced the winner.
Just like his father, Raila's several shots at the top post have all been futile, but has blamed a majority of them on rigging and election theft.
Despite being very popular and getting close to the throne each, with Jaramogi rising to the post of Vice President at a time when he was the automatic presidential heir and Raila ascending to the position of Prime Minister after the 2007 poll, both never made it to the presidency.
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