Raila Odinga significantly built his Coast political base by inheriting the support of the late Cabinet Minister Karisa Maitha following Maitha's death in 2004. Observers note that Raila began developing this base in the early 1990s, with his influence growing considerably after integrating Maitha's political following.

• Raila Odinga inherited the political base of late Cabinet Minister Karisa Maitha after his death in 2004.
• Raila started building his Coast political base in the early 1990s.
• The article suggests Raila mentored top leaders from the Coast while building his party.