Widely referred to as the enigma of Kenyan politics, Raila Odinga is the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya and the leader of Azimio la Umoja, the current opposition coalition.
Raila is the son of Kenya's first vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Odinga is, however, most popular for being the longest-serving opposition leader who’s managed to keep governments in check. All Kenyan Presidents starting with the late President Moi to the incumbent, President William Ruto have struggled to contain him politically.
This year alone, his anti-government protests brought large sections of the country to a standstill prompting President Ruto to initiate ceasefire negotiations with him.
He has also played a pivotal role in the Kenyan political scene having participated in the fight for multiparty democracy in the ‘90s.
Odinga also played a big role in the country's push for a new constitution and successfully marshaled his troops to support the quest which culminated in the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
He has also served as the MP for the initial larger Langata Constituency that, at the time, included Kibra between 1992 to 2013.
The Azimio premier also served as Minister of Roads, Public Works, and Housing. During his stint, he oversaw massive infrastructural developments across the country.
During the last years of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, Raila served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development under the office of the AU Chairman.