How Baba battled to win the Mulembe nation after Wamalwa
Power struggles emerged in Ford Kenya between Kijana Wamalwa and Raila after Jaramogi Oginga Odinga died. It is after Wamalwa’s death that Raila decided to inherit his western base...
✨ Key Highlights
After the death of Ford Kenya Chairman Michael Kijana Wamalwa in August 2003, Raila Odinga faced a significant challenge in securing the support of Kenya’s western region, often called the “Mulembe nation,” despite it later becoming his stronghold.
- Before Wamalwa's death, Raila's influence was primarily in his Luo Nyanza region and parts of Nairobi.
- The article details the effort and strategy Raila Odinga employed to gain acceptance in the Mulembe nation.
- Leaders in the Mt Kenya region had previously portrayed Raila Odinga as a scaremonger and unfit to lead.
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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.
