Even after his passing, his name continues to dominate headlines. But how well do you really know the man behind the legend?
Here are 5 lesser-known facts about Raila Odinga that will surprise you:
Father and Son — MPs at the Same Time
Between 1992 and 1994, Raila served as the MP for Lang’ata, while his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, represented Bondo.
This is one of the rare moments in Kenyan history where a father and son both sat in Parliament simultaneously.
The East–West Berlin Smuggler
In 1965, Raila won a scholarship to study in East Germany at Magdeburg Technical School.
During his studies, he secretly carried goods from West Berlin to friends in East Berlin—a daring move during the height of the Cold War.
Raila the Footballer
Before politics, Raila was a footballer. He played as a midfielder for the Luo Union Football Club, a team founded by his father in the 1950s. Today, that same club is known as Gor Mahia FC.
He Learned of His Mother’s Death Two Months Later
After being detained following the 1982 failed coup attempt, Raila was held in solitary confinement.
When his mother, Mary Juma Odinga, passed away in 1984, prison wardens withheld the news from him for two painful months.
Honorary Degrees and Global Recognition
In 2012, Raila received an Honorary Doctorate from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in the USA.
He also holds another honorary degree from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Malaysia.
These are just a few fascinating facts about Raila Odinga that many Kenyans may not know.
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