Raila Odinga: A Luo Leader’s Journey (Part 3)

Father and Son: A Painful Divergence

The relationship between Raila and his father was not without its tensions. Even before Jaramogi’s death, cracks had appeared in their political partnership. At the 1992 FORD-Kenya National Delegates Conference, a dramatic confrontation unfolded that would become legendary in Kenyan political lore. A 46-year-old Raila, frustrated with certain party decisions and what he perceived as unfair treatment, stormed the conference while his father was addressing delegates. He was accompanied by a group of rowdy youth waving twigs, causing panic and disruption. Jaramogi, visibly angered by his son’s actions, commanded the chaotic group into silence, a public rebuke that wounded Raila deeply.

January 1994 brought profound personal and political upheaval. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the towering figure who had shaped Raila’s worldview and political philosophy, passed away on January 20. Just days before his death, father and son had met at their company, EA Spectre in the industrial area. In what would be their final conversation, Jaramogi, who was unwell, called Raila into his office where they spoke for an hour. Rather unusually, Jaramogi didn’t focus on business matters but instead offered advice on family matters, including which school would be best for one of his grandchildren. Most poignantly, he spoke about the Luo community and FORD-Kenya, saying “I am not pleased about how people are talking about who will succeed me.” He offered wisdom about the nature of politics and men. It was as if Jaramogi knew his time was short.

Kenya mourned a giant, and Raila mourned a father. The government’s treatment of Jaramogi even in death was shameful. President Moi declined to grant him a state funeral or public viewing, and at the last minute withdrew permission for him to be buried at Uhuru Gardens. At the funeral venue, only a FORD-Kenya flag flew at half-mast, no government order had been given for national flags to fly at half-mast for Kenya’s first Vice President.

But grief quickly gave way to political manoeuvring. When Michael Wamalwa Kijana succeeded Jaramogi as FORD-Kenya chairman, Raila, believing he had earned the right to inherit his father’s political mantle, prepared to challenge him for the party leadership. The confrontation came at the FORD-Kenya National Delegates Conference at Thika Stadium in March 1995. In a dramatic and violent scene that exposed deep rifts within the party, Raila stormed the conference with rowdy supporters, disrupting proceedings. The leadership contest was marred by chaos, stone-throwing, accusations of rigging, and bitter recriminations. Video footage of the Thika Stadium violence captured the raw emotions and physical confrontations as Raila’s supporters clashed with Wamalwa’s faction in a battle for control of the party Jaramogi had led.

Defeated and disillusioned, Raila made a decision that would define his political identity: he would chart his own path. In a move that shocked many who expected him to fight within FORD-Kenya, Raila resigned from the party his father had led and formed the National Development Party (NDP) in 1996. It was an act of political independence, Raila was no longer content to be “Jaramogi’s son.” He would be his own man.

Published by the Luo National Congress
October 17, 2025