Home » Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru’s endorsement

Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru’s endorsement

by Enock Ndayala
Deputy President William Ruto blasted President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga for running down the economy.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has dominated Kenyan politics for the last 40 years commanding a fanatical base of supporters across the country to become President Uhuru’s endorsement.

He has been charming, illuminating, and electric at rallies. His political manoeuvres have always have been mysterious and unfathomable, not only to his competitors but also to his supporters.

Raila’s aura of influence has been felt even by sitting presidents and all seeking to thwart his political ambitions. His campaigns have always been exuberant and ground shaking.

Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru endorsement
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has dominated Kenyan politics for the last 40 years commanding a fanatical base of supporters across the country to become President Uhuru endorsement. Photo: Raila Odinga/Twitter.

But as 2022 approaches, Baba, as his supporters popularly refer to him, is growing weaker and losing control of his traditional strongholds.

He has become lacklustre and hardly charms the public with his hysterical and electrifying political gimmicks that often characterized his rallies.

The bold Raila who could confront the government, expose the rot and hold the country at ransom has at will has coiled the tail and no longer criticizes the state, and when he does, he whispers in low tones through cautiously written statements.

Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru endorsement
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has dominated Kenyan politics for the last 40 years commanding a fanatical base of supporters across the country to become President Uhuru endorsement.

Although campaigns are yet to commence, a keen observer of Raila’s politics can easily tell the former premier is approaching the 2022 presidential contest with tottering steps and faint heart.

He has become less inspiring and promising to the youth, who have always backed his bid and fought tooth and nail to have him ascend to power.

Political analyst Javas Bigambo attributes Raila’s waning political dominance to age and the perception of him being seen as a ‘perennial loser’.

“Raila Odinga is getting old and his operation can only be likened to a wheel on a slow puncture. Although he is still a force to reckon with in 2022, we are likely to see a less aggressive and energetic Raila in the upcoming contest,” said Bigambo.

Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru endorsement
Political analyst Javas Bigambo attributes Raila’s waning political dominance to age and the perception of him being seen as a ‘perennial loser’ : Raila Odinga/Twitter.

Raila, who is currently the preferred Uhuru’s endorsement for the 2022 presidential race has been at the centre of Kenya’s political transformation since the early 1980s. He has pulled strings, pressed buttons and pushed the country’s political stability to the limit.

A  bold, aggressive and mysterious Raila has whipped emotions, evoked anger and calmed the situation when everything was in disarray.

His name first appeared on the presidential ballot in 1997 but was floored by late president Daniel Moi, coming distant third after Kenneth Matiba who was second.

Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru endorsement
His name first appeared on the presidential ballot in 1997 but was floored by late president Daniel Moi, coming distant third after Kenneth Matiba who was second.

In 2022, Jakom, another one of his many monikers, changed tack and tilted the country’s political trajectory when he ditched KANU at its hour of need and declared support for Mwai Kibaki, immensely contributing to the unceremonious end of Moi’s 24-year rule.

In 2005, Raila mounted a No campaign against the Wako proposed constitution and floored the government team which was vouching for it. It is from this tussle that the idea of ODM was born.

He would proceed to give Kibaki a run for his money in the 2007 General Election, which he controversially lost, sparking protests and chaos that saw over 1000 people killed.

Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru endorsement
Raila formed one of the most formidable coalitions in the history of Kenya, The Pentagon, which cornered Kibaki and almost reduced him to a one-region presidential contender. Photo: ODM/Twitter.

Raila formed one of the most formidable coalitions in the history of Kenya, The Pentagon, which cornered Kibaki and almost reduced him to a one-region presidential contender.

Pentagon brought together William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Najib Balala, Norman Nyaga and Raila himself.

In 2013, the ODM leader was in the ring again, this time around he teamed up with Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Moses Wetang’ula (FORD Kenya) to form the CORD coalition, which faced off with the Jubilee coalition of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.

The cord was a political powerhouse with roots and tentacles spread across the country. Although it lost, narrowly, it carried the aspirations of millions of Kenyans who believed in its leaders and the dreams they carried.

Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru endorsement
As the flag bearer, Raila became the face of NASA and constantly engaged Uhuru and Ruto in blow-to-blow political combat throughout the election period.

Come 2017, Raila mounted yet another sweeping campaign under the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition, a formation that brought together Mudavadi, Kalonzo and Wetangu’la.

As the flag bearer, Raila became the face of NASA and constantly engaged Uhuru and Ruto in blow to blow political combat throughout the election period.

When Uhuru was controversially declared winner, the former premier protested the results and led his supporters in weekly demos dubbed ‘Monday Teargas’ which paralyzed operations in NASA strongholds.

In February this year, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho said the government spent KSh 50 million on teargas to contain protesting NASA supporters.

Raila Odinga: From feared political heavyweight to softie chasing president Uhuru endorsement
But for Baba, his aggressive, combative and comical-laden politics that won the hearts of many Kenyans has shrunk drastically for the last four years he has been working with the government. Photo: ODM Party/Twitter.

“The situation was difficult because, before the handshake, we used to spend more than Ksh 10 million every month to buy teargas alone, which is a lot of money,” the PS said

The unbearable situation forced Uhuru to bow to pressure and engage Raila in covert conversations that culminated into a handshake on March 9, 2018.

“Things are different now; the country is peaceful, the money is now being used to address other issues, Kibicho said of the situation post handshake.

But for Baba, his aggressive, combative, and comical-laden politics that won the hearts of many Kenyans has shrunk drastically for the last four years he has been working with the government.

As he prepares to take a fifth stab at the presidency in 2022, Raila will have to work extra hard to win back the confidence of his supporters, especially the youth.

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