Instances when Raila helped those in need

• Jan 31, 2022

By Correspondent

There are several instances where ODM leader Raila Odinga (pictured in a rally with a hawker he helped) helped those in need. This includes instances when police harassed individuals due to their political affiliation.

For instance, it was Raila who went to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to defend exiled lawyer Miguna when he faced deportation.

Today, those accusing the government of deporting Miguna, such as Deputy President William Ruto and his allies, at the time celebrated his deportation.

Again, it was Raila who went physically to defend controversial businessman Jimi Wanjigi when police raided his Muthaiga residence after the repeat presidential election in October 2017.

Raila even spent the night at Wanjigi’s residence to ensure police did not harm him.

Wanjigi now has joined those who celebrated his predicament in bashing Raila.

 After 2002 General Election, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi was thrown into political Siberia.

 Raila picked him from the cold, made him a Pentagon member during the 2007 General Election and eventually appointed him Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government in the Grand Coalition government.

Today, Mudavadi is vocal that Raila cannot be trusted.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka after betraying Raila in the run-up to the 2007 polls by running away with their party, ODM-K, was in 2013 picked by Raila and made him his running mate twice (2013 and 2017 elections). Today, Kalonzo is among those accusing Raila of betrayal.

During the 2013 and 2017 elections, Ruto called Kalonzo all sort of names and his Tangatanga brigade celebrated.

 After 2007 General Election, Raila appointed Ruto the Agriculture minister.

He had also appointed him to lead the ODM Parliamentary Group on constitutional amendment negotiations in Naivasha.

But Ruto todays is vocal Raila cannot be trusted.

After the 2007 poll chaos, Raila and then President Mwai Kibaki pushed for homegrown solutions to address the PEV but Ruto led a brigade shouting "dont be Vague, let’s go to Hague".

Ruto was to later accuse Raila of engineering his case at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.

Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion after 2017 elections was nominated by Raila to Parliament despite having another job.

He recently jumped ship and joined United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, the only senator on Ford-K ticket, was made Minority Leader in Senate by Raila.

But Wetang’ula began sabotaging the course of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition in and outside Parliament and Tangatangalets called him "jamaa wa kupigwa na Bibi".

He is now dining with Tangatanga as they hurl insults at Raila.

Economist David Ndii was arrested and humiliated by the government in 2017/2018 but Raila sent top lawyers led by James Orengo, Otiende Omollo, Mutula Kilonzojr to defend him.

That time, Tangatanga were celebrating the same.

 After Running separately in 1992 and 1997 elections and losing to President Moi, the opposition decided they must come together in order to defeat Moi (KANU).

 Ahead of 2002 elections, Simeon Nyachae, a Kisii, wanted to be endorsed as the flag-bearer but statistics indicated the only person who could send KANU packing was Kibaki.

Raila declared the famous Kibaki Tosha, and the former Othaya MP went on to win the presidency.

Raila has worked closely with all tribes in Kenya, even the Kikuyus who have never voted for him.

He was instrumental in nomination of Justice Njoki  Ndung’u (currently Supreme Court Judge) to Parliament in 2002.

He nominated Rachel Shebesh to Parliament in 2007 and nominated Isaac Mwaura to Senate in 2013.

His personal lawyer is Paul Mwangi, a Kikuyu.

Raila is a different human being and does not hold grudges with anyone. He forgives, forgets and soldiers on.