Raila Odinga

Politician

Kenyan Maseno, Colony and Protectorate of Kenya

Quick Info

ProfessionPolitician
NationalityKenyan
Date of Birth07/01/1945
Age80 years (died on 15, Oct, 2025)
BirthplaceMaseno, Colony and Protectorate of Kenya
Date of Death15/10/2025

Latest News about Raila Odinga

15/10/2025

Raila Odinga, Kenya's most prominent opposition politician for three decades, passed away at age 80 on October 15, 2025. His death marked the end of an influential political career that included five presidential campaigns and service as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013.

15/02/2025

Raila Odinga contested for the African Union Commission Chairmanship position in continental elections held on February 15, 2025, at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This bid became a major focus of Kenya's political agenda in early 2025.

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Bio/Wiki

Real NameRaila Amollo Odinga
Nicknames
  • Tinga
  • Hummer
  • Baba
  • Jakom
  • Agwambo
Famous forBeing Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013 and serving as a prominent opposition leader for three decades

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 11" (180 cm)
Eye ColorLight Brown
Hair ColorLight Brown

Educational Qualification(s)

High School
  • Kisumu Union Pry School, Kisumu Town, Kenya
  • Maranda High School, Siaya County, Kenya
College/University
  • Herder Institution, Marburg, Germany
  • University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
  • Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
QualificationA master's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology

Personal Life

ReligionChristianity
EthnicityLuo

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Marriage Date1973

Family

FatherJaramogi Oginga Odinga (Politician)
MotherMary Juma Odinga
SiblingsOburu Odinga (Politician)
SpouseIda Odinga (businesswoman)
Children
  • Fidle Odinga (deceased)
  • Raila Odinga Jr.
  • Rosemary Odinga
  • Winnie Odinga

Career

Political PartyOrange Democratic Movement
Political Journey
  • 1990 to 1994: Served in Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD)– Kenya
  • 1994 to 2002: Served in National Development Party
  • 2000 to 2005: Served in Kenya African National Union
  • 2002 to 2005: Served in Liberal Democratic Party
  • 2005 to 2017: Served in Orange Democratic Movement
  • 2012 to 2017: Served in Coalition for Reforms and Democracy
  • 2017 to 2021: Served in National Super Alliance
  • 2022 to 2025: Served in Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition
Awards
  • Doctor of Laws from University of Nairobi, Kenya (2008)
  • Honorary degree from Florida A&M University, United States (2012)
  • Doctorate of Leadership in Social Development from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Malaysia (2012)
Politics
ViewsSocial democracy, similar to American left-wing politics.
Key IssuesAdvocated for fuel tax removal during droughts, was conservative on social issues, and made divisive remarks on homosexuality.

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Raila Odinga comes from Maseno, Kisumu District, Nyanza Province in Kenya.
2. He spent two years at the Herder Institution in Germany learning the language.
3. His father was the first vice president of independent Kenya.
4. He started a Liquid Petroleum Gas manufacturing plant named Standard Processing Equipment Construction & Erection Ltd in 1971, which later became East African Spectre.
5. He was detained during the 1982 coup attempt and later faced house arrest.
6. Raila fled to Norway in 1989 due to threats against his life.
7. He became famous for his role in the multi-party democracy movement in Kenya.
8. Before his death in October 2025, he was preparing for a sixth presidential bid in 2027, believing he had one last opportunity to lead Kenya.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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