For time immemorial, generations in, generations out, Raila Odinga has enjoyed fanatical following from Kenyans of all walks of life. His supporters have religiously stood with him regardless of the circumstances. Let's just they are naturally wired to read from the same script as he does.
The history of this nation cannot be written to conclusion without the comprehensive inclusion of the long-term time opposition leader. He has had a political career which has outrightly outspanned and dwarfed the political journeys of other players combined. For some reasons, 'Baba', as he is popularly known by his supporters and rivals alike, has been able to maneuver the tumultuous Kenyan political scene. He always find a way to re-invent, rejuvenate when he's least expected. Show me any other politician who can match his shrewdness. Am waiting...
For a person who enjoys massive support - half of the country's population - it's safe to say that he has the best interests at heart. That's the same belief amongst his support base who will always grasp any opportunity to propell him to the house on the hill. They have done that on five occasions, all of which have bone no fruits. Raila's five bids have all proved futile but why? We will come to that later in this article.
For those familiar with Raila's political journey, they will unanimously concur that he remains the yardstick of political endurance. Given the turbulence that has marred his career so far, one would imagine that he would give in at the sight of torture, humiliation, betrayal and intimidation. He would probably leave the fight to his foot soldiers who would eventually crumble and burry the whole cause in the deep ends of abyss. For Baba, what is at stake supersedes whatever he stands to lose in the process of liberation. For that reason Raila is widely regarded as the face of second liberation and now he aims for the third liberation.
In the absence of the agitation and sacrifices of Raila and his ilk, we would be probably be caged in shackles of mafia rulers. Rulers who would condemn us to socioeconomic slavery. For the battle waged in the early 1990s, Baba was able to deliver us from didctatorial single party party rule. The victory was dubbed second liberation. Liberation to associate and form political fronts to spearhead our interests. What still remains is the third liberation. The liberation from economic bondage which has clouded every effort by Kenyans to better their livelihoods. To achieve this, Raila has so far launched five stabs at the presidency. The presidency will give the best platform to liberate us. For some reasons all those attempts have hit a snag.
Five stabs! Five stabs to no avail. Those unsuccessful bids have earned him the tag; 'perennial loser'- a mantra used by his opponents to sway the politically gullible. He may be, he may not if you consider the disputed 2007 presidential race. The fiercely contested election and the aftermath was the closest Baba was to clinching the reigns of power. Arguably all and sundry will agree he was snatched off the presidency right from his mouth. Some say he let it slip between his fingers.
The other time the dreams of his followers were on the brink of reality was in 2017. He initially lost to the incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta but in a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court annulled the results setting the stage for another attempt for Baba in repeat elections. He however boycotted the repeat poll citing a ploy to rig him out again.
Fast forward came 2022 polls. This time round stars were certainly aligned to his triumph. He was pitted against the then Deputy President William Ruto; a first timer. For many, Raila Odinga was in control of the race from the onset due to state machinery backing he enjoyed in the run-up to the elections. In the unprecedented twist the incumbent Uhuru threw his weight behind Raila-his long time political nemesis turned ally. But even with all that, somehow he lost to the underdog! The failed attempt may be his last if you factor his advancing age but in the absence of seat power, is his political stranglehold gone?
There have been countless theories to explain this incredible failure that has dogged Raila as far as his presidential ambitions are concerned. Some suggestions make sense some are utterly nonsensical. Each lost election has always seem to spell doom to his political career. Many have been quick to rule out a possibility of him retaining the political capital in readiness for another attempt but every time Raila has disapproved their intuitions.
No one would have imagined one year after the 'humiliation' at the ballot, his name will be invoked by besieged Kenyans. Well, he is being called upon to lead a civil resistance amid the skyrocketing cost of living. It's instructive to note that the defeat was supposed to 'send him to retirement.' Ostensibly he's yet to reach Bondo (retirement home).
Against the odds stack up against him, his relavance never wanes. In fact he become more and more relevant despite naysayers burying his political career alive everytime he loses an election. We'll, that's the political endurance that no one has come close to matching.
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