Books

Raila Odinga is the son of Kenya’s first vice president and opposition party giant Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, but that is increasingly becoming the least of the attributes that define him. Raila’s image in Kenya and internationally has ballooned over the decades and his unrivaled verve for political sanity has drawn him admiration and hate in equal measure. His unwavering identification with the masses and victims of political oppression and other neocolonial ills has conferred upon him unmatched loyalty and eternal relevance with each political cycle, cementing his perception as a true conundrum, both at home and abroad. Mr. Odinga’s dedication to the ideals of justice, fairness, equal representation, electoral integrity as well as accountable governance has earned him an immortal place in the hearts of his followers. Even his enemies confess to making political mileage by attempting to antagonize him. Never has it been so immaterial whether a president occupies the State House or remains un-sworn. Raila’s presence in Africa’s politics has provided substantial paternity, warmth, and legitimacy to a field otherwise orphaned and ravaged by political greed, intolerance, and insincerity, hence the title ‘Baba’ (translated ‘father’), and invariably, ‘The People’s President’. This book is an attempt to extract an outline of the almost non-duplicable qualities of a formidable captain of thousands from a montage of wannabe leaders and irredeemable greenhorns of our times. The author invites the reader to take a peek into the soul of a modern-day model leader—perhaps even a political saint.