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NAIROBI: Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's role in Kenya's so-called Second Liberation is well documented. Together with his late father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga (arguably Kenya's doyen of Opposition politics), they joined forces with others agitating for the reintroduction of multi-party politics in 1991 and most recently, he was in the lead campaigning for the change of the Independence Constitution that ushered in the 2010 Constitution. His much-acclaimed 'Kibaki Tosha' proclamation at Uhuru Park in October 2002 helped rout the increasingly unpopular Kanu party from power, accentuating Kenya's democratic credentials.
Yet, his sometimes abrasive nature has cast him as intolerant; one who would rather have his way or the highway, consequently earning him the moniker, Tinga. Comments attributed to him over the weekend while in Narok County calling on communities to take up arms should commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) still be in office today were unfortunate and reckless. It would be easy to dismiss those as populist remarks made in the heat of the moment at an emotionally charged political rally. But Mr Odinga is no ordinary Kenyan.
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