5 LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT RAILA ODINGA

1. He has no English Name

In the process of quest for independence, Oginga Odinga became immersed with ideology of Africanism. He strived to dissociate himself from anything that was associated with colonial masters. The first step was dropping the names Obadiah Adonijah. He made Jaramogi Oginga Odinga his formal names.

When he was blessed with his first two sons he directed that they would not be baptized using English names. The two sons would be baptized as Oburu and Raila. That’s why Raila does not have English names.

2. Studied at Leipzig Herder Institute and Magdeburg Technical University in East Germany

Raila’s father had close ties with Russia during the cold war. That would explain why Raila went for his further studies at East Germany which by then was under USSR.

While in East Germany Raila studied at two institutes. He started his engineering course at Leipzig Herder Institute and finished his studies at Magdeburg Technical University. It is at Magdeburg that he earned his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering.

3. He founded Kenya Bureau of Standards

After completing his studies in East Germany, Raila came back to Kenya and started East Africa Spectre Limited. The company specializes in Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

It is while working at Spectre that together with his friends he founded Kenya Bureau of Standards. He became Standard Manager and rose to become the bureaus’ Deputy Director.

4. Served in Parliament together with his father.

When Raila Odinga was elected in Parliament to represent Langata Constituency in 1992, history was made in the country. He became the first MP to serve the same time with his father in parliament. At that time, his father was MP for Bondo Constituency.

5. Served seven years in detention without trial

Raila had a long frictious relationship with Late President Moi. In 1982, Raila Odinga was accused of plotting a coup. He was detained without trial for six years.

After being released from prison, Raila was arrested again for campaigning for multiparty democracy in Kenya. Raila was forced to go to exile in Norway. He came back to Kenya in 1992 and was elected as Member of Parliament for Langata. He has been into active politics ever since.