Raila Odinga - Former Prime Minister of Kenya, Facts and Family

Raila Odinga's Personal Details

A businessman turned politician, Raila Odinga is known for his pro-democracy efforts which resulted in modification of the Kenyan constitution

// Famous Former Prime Minister of Kenya

Jomo Kenyatta

Jomo Kenyatta was a Kenyan politician, who served as the Prime Minister and later the President of Kenya. This biography profiles his childhood, life, struggles, career, achievements and gives some interesting facts.

Raila Odinga's photo

Who is Raila Odinga?

Raila Odinga is a Kenyan businessman and politician often regarded as the father of democracy in the country. Raila was born into a politically active family; his father served as Kenya's first Vice President. After completing his education in Germany, he returned to Kenya, where he began a teaching career, while at the same time participating in various business ventures related to his field of mechanical engineering. Later he would become involved in politics himself. He was one of the most prominent supporters of the movement for political reform in Kenya, particularly for multi-party democracy, rather than the traditional single-party politics in the country. He would serve time in prison for these activities on several different occasions, including one stint lasting six years, and would receive numerous threats of death. After his last imprisonment he would go on to work his way up the Kenyan political ladder, forming and combining numerous political parties, and running for president multiple times. Although he lost each of the presidential elections he ran in, he would eventually become the country’s second-ever Prime Minister, and was able to effect political change in his country through this position.

// Famous Political Leaders

Edi Rama

Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Leo Varadkar

Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.

Childhood & Early Life

Career

Major Works

Awards & Achievements

Personal Life & Legacy

Net Worth

Trivia

// Famous Democrats

Milo Ventimiglia

Milo Ventimiglia is an American actor who became famous for his role as Peter Petrelli on the NBC television series Heroes. This biography profiles his childhood, early life, career, major works, awards, personal life, legacy and timeline.

Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert is an American comedian and satirist. Read the biography to learn all about his childhood, career, profile and timeline.

Pancho Villa

Pancho Villa is one of the most renowned names of the ‘Mexican Revolution’ who was also the Governor of Chihuahua. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, profile, career and timeline

Raila Odinga biography timelines

• // 7th Jan 1945
  Raila Amolo Odinga was born January 7, 1945 in Maseno, Kenya to Mary Ajuma Odinga and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
• // 1962 To 1970
  Starting in 1962, he spent two years at the 'Herder Institut', part of the 'University of Leipzig' in East Germany. He then earned a scholarship to the 'Technical School' in Magdeburg, East Germany, where he graduated in 1970 with a degree in Mechanical engineering.
• // 1970
  After completing his graduate studies in 1970, Raila returned to Kenya, where he became a lecturer at the 'University of Nairobi.'
• // 1971
  In 1971, while still teaching at the 'University of Nairobi' he established what would become 'East African Spectre Ltd.' a company manufacturing liquid petroleum gas cylinder.
• // 1973
  He exchanged wedding vows with Ida in 1973 and the family resides in Karen, Nairobi. They have four children: Fidel, Rosemary, Raila Jr. and Winnie.
• // 1974
  In 1974 he left the 'University of Nairobi' and began working at the 'Kenya Bureau of Standards' as a group standards manager. Four years later he was promoted to Deputy Director of the 'Kenya Bureau of Standards.'
• // 1982
  In 1982, he was accused of collaborating with the plotters of a failed coup attempt against the President. He was charged with treason and imprisoned, without trial, for six years.
• // Sep 1988
  Shortly after his release, he was rearrested for involvement with activists pushing for multi-party democracy in Kenya, in September 1988.
• // 12th Jun 1989
  He was released from prison on June 12, 1989, but a year later was arrested again.
• // 21st Jun 1991
  He was released from prison on June 21, 1991, and in October left Kenya for Norway. His decision to leave his motherland was probably because of the assassination threats he claimed to have received from the Kenyan government.
• // 1992
  In 1992 he returned to Kenya and joined 'FORD', the 'Forum for the Restoration of Democracy.' He was elected Vice Chairman of the ‘General Purposes Committee of FORD'.
• // 1992
  In 1992, 'FORD' split into two factions, 'FORD-Kenya' led by Raila's father, and 'FORD-Asili' led by Kenneth Matiba. Raila was appointed Deputy Director of Elections of 'FORD-Kenya. The same year, he won a seat in Parliament and began to be known as one of the fathers of multi-party democracy in the country.
• // 1997
  He ran for President in the 1997 General Election, finishing third but keeping his seat in Parliament. After the election he began to support President Moi's government, leading a merger between his party and Moi's 'KANU' party.
• // Jun 2001 To 2002
  From June 2001 to 2002, he served on the Cabinet of President Moi as Energy Minister. This same year, he was also elected the 'KANU' party's secretary general.
• // 2002
  In 2002, in opposition of President Moi's choice of presidential candidate, Raila left 'KANU' to form the 'Liberal Democratic Party.' This party then joined with the 'National Alliance of Kenya' to form the 'National Rainbow Coalition'. In the later part of the year, he was appointed minister of roads, public works and housing in the new President's cabinet.
• // 2005
  In 2005, following a political controversy the President dismissed his entire cabinet and reassembled it, without Odinga and his allies, leading him to form a new coalition, the 'Orange Democratic Movement.'
• // 2007
  In 2007, Raila ran for president again, narrowly losing. He disputed the result, and widespread violence and rioting broke out.
• // 2007 To 17th Apr 2008
  As a result of the violence following the 2007 election, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stepped in and helped reach an agreement between Odinga and the President to form a coalition government, with Odinga being sworn in on April 17, 2008 as Prime Minister.
• // 2008
  In 2008, Raila was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the ‘University of Nairobi’ in Kenya.
• // 2010 To 2011
  He was appointed to mediate the Ivorian crisis in 2010-2011, which involved widespread violence following elections in Ivory Coast.
• // 2010
  He worked closely with President Kibaki in 2010, to pass a new constitution for Kenya, which moved some of the power of the presidency back to the local government level.
• // 2012
  He was awarded an honorary degree from ‘Florida A&M University’ in the United States, in 2012.
• // 2013
  In 2013, he ran again for president again narrowly losing. At first challenging the results, when the Supreme Court upheld them, he conceded the election.
• // Oct 2013
  The Flame of Freedom', an autobiography detailing his life and struggles, was launched in October 2013. It is his only published work.

// Famous Leaders

Edi Rama

Edi Rama is the current Prime Minister of Albania. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Tecumseh

Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee clan. This biography profiles his childhood, life and timeline.

Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Anwar Sadat

Anwar Sadat was the third President of Egypt and has been awarded the Nobel Prize for his peace initiatives. To know more about his childhood, career, profile and timeline read on the following biography.

Leo Varadkar

Cam Leo Varadkar is the current Taoiseach—the Prime Minister—of the Republic of Ireland. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts about his life.

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda was the chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, and was responsible for awakening India spiritually. Check this biography to know in detail about his life, profile and timeline.

Raila Odinga's FAQ

• What is Raila Odinga birthday?

  Raila Odinga was born at 1945-01-07

• Where is Raila Odinga's birth place?

  Raila Odinga was born in Maseno

• What is Raila Odinga nationalities?

  Raila Odinga's nationalities is Kenyan

• What is Raila Odinga ideologies?

  Raila Odinga's ideologies is Democrats

• Who is Raila Odinga spouses?

  Raila Odinga's spouses is Ida Odinga

• Who is Raila Odinga siblings?

  Raila Odinga's siblings is Oburu Odinga

• Who is Raila Odinga childrens?

  Raila Odinga's childrens is Fidel Odinga, Raila Odinga Jr., Rosemary Odinga, Winnie Odinga

• What was Raila Odinga universities?

  Raila Odinga studied at Leipzig University, 1970 - Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg

• Who is Raila Odinga's father?

  Raila Odinga's father is Jaramogi Oginga Odinga

• Who is Raila Odinga's mother?

  Raila Odinga's mother is Mary Juma Odinga

• What is Raila Odinga's sun sign?

  Raila Odinga is Capricorn

• How famous is Raila Odinga?

  Raila Odinga is famouse as Former Prime Minister of Kenya