As Raila Odinga goes global, his political shadow will still loom large locally

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Conventional wisdom and some exaggeration shared online suggest there are five levels of government in Kenya: The Executive, the Judiciary, the Parliament, the Constitution Commission, and Raila Odinga. The first three are traditional. Commissions were borrowed from Nigeria. As for Raila, his political power is an enigma but read on.

Raila is like water, which can exist in several states - liquid, solid, or gas -depending on the circumstances. Anytime political circumstances change, he also changes, ensuring his longevity. That makes it hard for his political enemies to ensnare him. Water would be less useful if it existed in only one state. Do you recall the anomalous expansion of water; if you didn't sleep through your high school physics? Others suggest Raila is like a eucalyptus tree: you cut it, and it regenerates with more vigor.