Raila's Most Daring Moments in Politics [VIDEOS]

Raila Odinga is without a doubt a man of many firsts. Many times, Kenyans have been explained as divided into two, those who exceptionally love Raila, and those who exceptionally dislike him.

With a keen sense of planning and a deep understanding of politics, Raila has been able to jump into and out of situations that many politicians would not survive.

His political stature has also enabled him to stay relevant many years after his political compatriots faded from the political limelight.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga addressing the press  at a past event.

Here are the five most daring moments in Raila's political life.

1.Raila Odinga Swearing-in

The country was in a bad place.

Kenya had just returned from a turbulent 2017 electioneering period, and Odinga supporters from many corners of the country were protesting the turn of events. There were claims of rigging and other malpractices in the election.

After postponing his swearing-in twice, Raila finally succumbed to the pressure from his supporters and took to the pulpit on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, and wielded the bible.

Raila Odinga and other NASA dignitaries during his oathing ceremony.

This was arguably the most daring act of rebellion by Raila Odinga or any other politician in Kenya's history. The Attorney General at the time, Githu Muigai, had stated in December 2017, that Odinga's alternative swearing-in ceremony would amount to treason, but Raila went through and swore himself in either way.

2. Walking into the funeral after swearing-in

The police were running rampant in the street, and many those who had participated in the swearing-in were paying the price. With threats of treason and arrest hanging over his head, Raila Odinga did not go underground as many would have expected.

Raila Odinga, on February 3, 2018, was at the memorial service for Yvonne Wamalwa, Eugene Wamalwa's sister-in-law.

This was a direct affront to the authorities who had promised to arrest him after he had gone through with the swearing-in and were at that moment harassing the 'smaller fish' who had participated in the oathing exercise.

Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang, the man who administered the oath had been arrested on January 31, 2018. Lawyer Miguna Miguna would the same fate barely 2 days later.

3. The Handshake

March 2, 2018, was another moment that Raila Odinga pulled a shocker on all Kenyans.

The country was still unsettled, with calls for a revolution streaming in from many corners of a country threatened by division. There was one part of the country that sang the 'Tano Tena' song and another believed in the 'Raila Tibim' version.

Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga at the steps of the Harambee House after the Handshake on March 9, 2018.

Rumors then streamed in that Raila was at Harambee House meeting his 'sworn enemy', Uhuru Kenyatta, whom he had vowed to never refer to as 'president'.

A few hours later, at the steps of the Harambee House, history was written.

Many were appalled and angered by what Raila had done, including those who were in his inner circle.

Raila weathered the storm and the insults that came with the brazen move, revealing bit by bit the details of the handshake until the country actually started seeing matters from his lens.

Up until now, the details of the daring move have never been fully revealed, but it was another daring move during uncertain times.

4. Almost shot at a rally

Raila Odinga has spent most of his adult life in the cusps of brutal politics in a country that was yet to mature democratically. Having seen the tail end of Jomo Kenyatta's rule, he was flung headfirst in the Moi's iron-fisted rule, where he had his patriotism and political will tested through the fire.

At the Thika stadium in 1995, Raila had just won the parliamentary seat in Lang'ata and was casting his die in the turbulent national political scene, angling for the top seat in Ford-Kenya, which would, in turn, assure his presidential ambitions.

The Standard newspaper wrote on September 22, 2019, that Raila was targeted by police officers whose only intent was to put an end to his life.

“I knew they were going to kill Raila. I have never been scared like that in my life. I heard a senior police officer ordering one of his juniors to aim at Raila and we had to act fast by pushing him to the ground. We were ready to take the bullets on his behalf," Bishop Otura, one of his handlers was quoted.

Raila Odinga, it is reported, was fighting any attempts to duck, as he wanted to look his intended killers in the eye. It is the aides who saved the life of the hot-blooded Raila that day.

5. Return from the states

After the acrimonious 2017 elections, Raila jetted to the US where he launched a 10-day tour meeting delegates and other leaders before returning to the country that was still divided over the legitimacy of the presidential polls.

On his November 17, return, Raila Odinga was welcomed with an enthusiastic group of supporters who had engaged the police in running battles the entire day.

Through the backstreets of Nairobi, Raila, his daughter Winnie and other leaders rode on top of their vehicles despite the sounds of gunfire and the teargas all around them.

At the end of the protests, there were allegations that there had been an assassination attempt on Raila, with photos showing alleged bullet 'holes' on his official vehicle.

"Hon. Raila Odinga has survived an attempt on his life while driving into town from JKIA, following his arrival from the US this morning. Fortunately, he and all co-passengers are well owing to his state-of-the-art bullet-proof car," Nasa tweeted, that Friday.

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