By Peter Opiyo
Prime Minister Raila Odinga will most certainly relinquish his parliamentary seat thanks to the new Constitution.
This will expose the people of Langata Constituency, who he has represented since 1992 to new leadership at a time when the constituency has been split into two, Langata and Kibra, portending an interesting scenario for those who will contest the two seats.
Langata had been associated with Raila such that some said they could only vie for parliamentary seat in the region if the area was split.
Such was the view of now Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndungâu, who in 2007 said she could only vie if the area was split into two, saying she had a long-standing family relationship with Raila and could not oppose him.
At the time, Raila faced opposition from amongst others flamboyant Narc-K activist Stanley Livondo, Ndura Waruinge and businessman Antony Kirori.
Railaâs influence in the area has been growing since 1992 and should he choose to endorse a candidate, it would almost be certain that the candidate might get the ticket to parliament.
Detention
The PM was released from detention in June 1989 following his arrest over alleged involvement with the clandestine Kenya Revolutionary Movement, which was agitating for the re-introduction of multi-party politics.
He was, however, put behind bars in July the same year only to be released in June 1991, but went exile in Norway, in October 1991 over fears for his life.
He returned in 1992 to participate in the General Election and this saw him win the Langata parliamentary seat garnering 24, 261 votes.
Railaâs incarceration has normally taken a central part in his political agenda.
