Kenya: Can Kenya Preserve the Democratic Space Raila Odinga Fought For?

What the report says

One year after the death of former Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga, Kenyans are debating what his political legacy means for the country’s democracy and future opposition politics. A DW report distributed by AllAfrica says Odinga is still widely remembered as a central figure in the push for multiparty democracy, constitutional reform and national reconciliation, while some critics continue to question the compromises he made through political deals with rivals.

The article places Odinga’s influence in the context of major moments in Kenya’s recent history, including the disputed 2007 election and the power-sharing arrangement that followed. That settlement, brokered with international mediation led by former UN chief Kofi Annan, made Odinga prime minister in a coalition government with Mwai Kibaki and helped pave the way for Kenya’s 2010 constitution. Analysts and young supporters quoted in the report describe him as a leader whose impact went beyond elections and shaped institutions, public debate and the political expectations of younger generations.

At the same time, the piece notes that Odinga’s “handshakes” with political rivals, including agreements with Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, remain divisive. Supporters viewed them as practical steps toward stability, while opponents said they weakened accountability and the opposition’s role. The debate is especially relevant for Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement, which faces questions about its identity and direction after his death.

The report also says his daughter, Winnie Odinga, plans to run for Nairobi County senator in the 2027 election, underscoring that his family and party are still part of Kenya’s evolving political landscape.