Raila Odinga has been a key player in Kenyan politics for the last three decades. Right from the 1982 attempted coup, to his fight for the second liberation and his attempt to clinch the presidency three times. He has become a formidable force that endears him to the masses. To his supporters, Raila Odinga is not just a person. He is an institution!
With his good and bad credentials in politics notwithstanding, many people are calling for him to retire. They want him not to vie for the presidency in 2017. Even the opinion polls by Ipsos Synovate keep repeating the same question on whether he should retire. Many of his supporters have called these polls a sham, but they present people’s perception on Raila Odinga’s legacy.
Talking of the legacy, there comes a time when every kingpin relinquishes his position. Before then, they chose a successor who will take over the mantle. For those who refuse to do so, they leave their thrones disorganized and their people disillusioned. While many of the local communities have seen changes in their regional kingpins, the same has not happened to the Luo Community.
The Odingas have been the sole kingpins of the Luo community since independence. They are the sole authority on any political matters pertaining to the community. No person can thrive politically in Nyanza politics without seeking the endorsement of Raila Odinga. If you come from Nyanza and you fight Raila, then you just committed political suicide.
Despite that, we should applaud Raila Odinga for keeping his support base intact. This is where now comes the dilemma. Since he is the sole authority, he should be grooming someone to replace him. He has not.
With the unfortunate and sudden death of his first-born son Fidel, many thought that Fidel would be his successor. With old age catching up with him, it is the high time Raila Odinga chose or groomed a successor to replace him.
If he doesn’t, then he will leave a divided house which cannot stand on its own.
The writer is a political and social analyst. Blogs at politicskenya.net
