This is the man who saw the need for a better Kenya while still a teenager. He was accused of being among those who planned the coup against President Daniel Moi. This has been demonized but there was a justification for the act. Kenya was tired of institutionalized dictatorship and mismanagement of public resources. Raila Odinga was a hero at a tender age.
When one party democracy was starving Kenya economically, politically as well as socially; Raila Odinga stood up and fought for multiparty democracy. He is the reasons you have the freedom to form any party anytime. Talk of Jubilee, ODM, CCM, MCC, WDM, ANC and Ford Kenya among others; it is a product of Raila’s sweat.
The Kibaki Tosha declaration revealed the selfless part of this political guru. He decided to join forces by the then new political wind to sweep KANU out of power. This exceptional crowd mover delivered for Kibaki like what mothers do to their kid. He gave his best.
The Referendum saw Odinga prove that he is a tsunami that can kill you in minutes. He had endorsed Kibaki and helped him to have a landslide win but after the violation of their MoU, Raila was whitewashing his boss in popularity and fame.
The 2007/2008 was a year that defined the real BABA. He put Kenya first and agreed to form a coalition government. There was pressure for him to demand his rightful win but he chose a “Nusu Mkate” government so that Kenya stops burning. The decision has earned him political enemies that are egocentric. He has soldiered on.
When 2013 gave him another chance, Odinga was also on the receiving end. He still prioritized Kenya. He is a leader that Kenya needs and if it does not have him as a president even for a day it will regret for ages.
Indeed Raila Odinga is the opponent Jubilee never wanted to face. Their talking betrays them.