How Raila-Ruto deal revealed his political magic

When President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni hosted President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at his Kisozi country home in Uganda. [PCS]

Despite losing yet another bid to lead the country in 2022, ODM leader Raila Odinga remains at the heart of the country’s politics, playing central roles in policy-changing decisions such as the formation of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) and the recent impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The opposition leader has always found a way to bounce back and influence governance and policy since losing his first election to President Daniel arap Moi in 1997, where he emerged third in a contest a united opposition could have easily won.

He has wielded control over local politics through secret deals aimed at stabilising fragile governments, such as in 1997 when Moi won with just over 30 per cent of the vote, and again in June and July 2024, during the Gen Z uprising that nearly toppled the Kenya Kwanza administration.