Remembering Raila Odinga's Life, Political Career, and Legacy - October 2025

Reflections on Raila Odinga's life highlight key moments and contributions that shaped his career. His early life was significantly influenced by his family's experiences with political detention, including a visit to his grandfather at Industrial Area Prison in Nairobi when he was three years old. After the death of Michael Kijana Wamalwa in August 2003, Odinga faced a significant challenge in securing support from the “Mulembe nation,” a region that later became his stronghold. Odinga is also remembered for his contributions to gender equality, particularly his support for women in leadership and championing the two-thirds gender rule. His three-decade political career has been described as impactful, leaving a significant void in Kenyan politics.