Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is a respected Kenyan politician with a legacy of defending the ideals of pan Africanism. He is a long-serving leader of the opposition with exceeding influence across the world. Raila Amolo Odinga biography majors on his admirable personal life and illustrious career in politics.
Raila Odinga remains iconic for his affectionate sense of humour and effortless skill in leadership. For that reason, the history of Kenyan politics is not complete without mentioning Raila Odinga for all the good and wrong reasons alike.
PM Raila Amolo Odinga profiles summary
- Real name: Raila Amolo Odinga
- Popularly: Rao
- Nickname: Baba, Agwambo, Jakom
- Date of birth: January 7, 1945
- Birth sign: Capricorn
- Place of birth: Maseno, Nyanza
- Raila Amolo Odinga age: 78 years old
- Ethnicity: Luo tribe
- County: Siaya County, Kenya
- Occupation: Engineer, politician
- Raila Amolo Odinga wife: Ida Anyango Oyoo
- Years active: 1970 to date
- Religion: Christian
- Relationship status: Married
Raila Amolo Odinga is famous for serving as a Prime Minister of Kenya between 2007 and 2013.
ODM Leader Raila Amolo Odinga biography with pictures
Raila remains a bigwig in the African continent, especially, in Eastern Africa.
He is not only a fighter but also a visionary leader and a proud family man.
How old is Raila Odinga? Which religion?
Born on January 7, 1945, Raila Odinga age is 78 years as of 2023.
His birthday often attracts showers of well wishes and gifts not forgetting a huge cake.
Where was Raila born? Former PM Raila Amolo Odinga from Bondo in Siaya County was born at the Anglican Church Missionary Society Hospital within Maseno, Kisumu County.
Is Raila Odinga a Christian? Yes, the former PM was raised as an Anglican of the Church Missionary Society.
Later on, Raila denounced his childhood faith to become a Christian.
Concerning religion, Raila Odinga is a baptised member of the Nairobi based All Saints’ Cathedral Church.
Hon Raila Odinga wife Ida and parents
Raila Odinga comes from a polygamous Odinga family of four children and 17 children.
He is the son of former Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Mary Juma.
Raila Odinga and his wife Ida are a lovely couple with four children, among them two boys and two girls.
Raila Odinga sons are the late Fidel Castro Odinga and businessman Raila Junior.
Besides, Raila’s daughters are Winnie Irmgard and Rosemary Akeyo.
PM Raila Odinga education and career
Where did Raila go to school? Raila started his formal education in the 1950s at Kisumu Union Primary School.
He later transferred to Maranda Primary before joining Maranda High School and completing secondary studies in 1962.
Then came a scholarship to German for a course in Philology – language in both oral and written historical forms. He would switch to Engineering upon completion.
In 1970, Raila graduated with a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Welding returning to Kenya within the same year.
In 1971, Raila founded the Standard Processing Equipment Construction & Erection Limited dealing with Liquid petroleum gas cylinders.
Soon after, he renamed the company to EastAfricanSpectre. Raila Odinga LinkedIn profile recognizes him as CEO of this 50-year-old firm.
Meanwhile, Raila lectured at the University of Nairobi in the Department of Engineering. It is about this time that he met and married his sweetheart Ida.
ODM Leader Raila Odinga history in politics
Raila entered into politics after the footsteps of his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
For the record, Jaramogi had differed with Jomo Kenyatta and resigned from the office of vice president in 1966.
Daniel Arap Moi succeed Jaramogi in 1967 and eventually became president in 1978 following the death of Jomo Kenyatta.
Moi’s dictatorial Regime further stayed at a stand-off with the defiant Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his allies.
The failed 1982 Coup D’etat left Raila Amolo Odinga and his father Jaramogi locking horns with President Moi.
As a result, Raila suffered three consecutive and torturous detentions amid heated struggles for multi-party democracy.
Towards the 90s, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga became head of the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD).
Initial differences left FORD breaking into FORD Kenya led by Jaramogi Oginga and FORD Asili led by Kenneth Matiba.
In 1992, Raila succeeded Philip Leakey as a Member of Parliament in Langata Constituency.
A controversial party leader selection exercise saw Raila resigning from FORD Kenya and joining the National Development Party (NDP).
In 1997, Raila emerged third in a presidential race in which Moi led followed by Mwai Kibaki. In 2002, Raila campaigned behind Mwai Kibaki.
Sadly, his presidential bids turned out unsuccessful in the 2007, 2013, and 2017 general elections.
March 9, 2018, closed the chapter of divisive politics between Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta.
The handshake eventually developed into the lately disputed Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
And now, Raila’s presidential campaigns against closest rival William Ruto are catching flames.
PM Raila Odinga wealth value
Raila Odinga net worth is at least Ksh. 25 billion, qualifying him into the list of top 10 richest Kenyans in 2022.
Baba has mainly accumulated this income from his previous positions of power, good returns from East African Spectre, and inheritance from Jaramogi Odinga.
Raila Amolo Odinga contacts
- Website: rao.co.ke
- Instagram: @odingaraila
- Facebook: @RailaOdingaKE
- Twitter: @RailaOdinga
Connect with Raila on social media for his political whereabouts.
Former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga biography offers a blueprint of his personal life and uphill political career. Above all, the greatest of his achievements is the 2010 Constitution of Kenya.
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