National Super Alliance (NASA) principal Raila Amollo Odinga is not just your average politician. He is a mini-god. A crowd puller. A game-changer. Jubilee politician Aden Dwale describes him as a brand. The former prime minister is a man who talks and Kenya shakes. When he talks, the political scene changes direction. When he coughs, Kenya catches a cold. When he talks, people go into a frenzy as if they are attacked by Holy Ghost spirits. For newspapers to sell, they only need to plaster his image on the front page and the deal is done. The son of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga is on his own class of greatness.
When he makes a call for Kenyans to turn out for a political gathering, mass action or a protest, Kenyans turn out in large numbers. Whether he wants to make a mere announcement or swear-in himself, the crowd that will turn up is always in hundreds of thousands or even millions. Be it a gathering at Uhuru Park in the capital city or just roadside greetings in a remote area, Kenyans will always turn up in extremely large numbers. What charm is Raila using to draw such mammoth crowds? No any other Kenyan politician, dead or alive, has ever pulled a greater crowd or commanded such a faithful, almost occultist, following like Raila does. It is time Kenyans start asking questions.
Reform agenda
Is it because of his constant and resilient call for reforms in Kenya that makes Kenyans to love him that much? Raila Odinga is known to have fought for various reforms ever since Kenya gained Independence in 1963.He has always advocated for democracy, multi-party politics, justice and obedience to the rule of law. He fought for a progressive constitution which was promulgated in 2010.He is also in the forefront in the fight for electoral reforms. Is this why Kenyans cannot let go of him? Is this why they follow him as if he is a superman? A mini-god?
Sympathy
Are Kenyans following Raila because they sympathize with him? Are they sympathizing with the ordeal that he has gone through in a bid to liberate Kenyans from oppressive regimes? During his hey-days, Raila was detained for 9 years while advocating for multi-party politics. He has also vied for Kenya’s president four times and in all these attempts he has never succeeded to occupy the state house. He has also complained that his victory has been stolen three consecutive times. He also lost his eldest son Fidel Odinga in March 2015. Is this huge following just a sympathy gesture? A saving face kind of sympathy?
Flowery language
Raila is a man of flowery language. Deputy president William Ruto calls him “Yule jamaa wa Vitendawili” (Than man of riddles).Jesus Christ was known for using parables. Raila Odinga is known for using metaphors, riddles and wise sayings while addressing crowds. Just like a woman gets attracted to poetry, Kenyans seem to love Raila’s flowery language. They literally go berserk when he takes over the microphone. He analogizes political maneuvers using football match or Polygamous marriage. He uses riddles and proverbs to pass his message. Is this the reason why he attracts mammoth crowds during his rallies?