It would be poetic justice if Raila’s road to Canaan goes through Nithi

ODM Leader Raila Odinga dances during the Azimio la Umoja National Convention on December 10, 2021 at Moi International Sports Complex Kasarani. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

In December 2007, as early results streamed in, Raila Odinga was having a great night. Most of the early returns were from regions he was considered strong in; Western, Rift Valley and Nyanza. To many people, seeing that Raila’s heat map checked almost every part of the country, it was a question of when not if, the ODM flagbearer would be announced president of the Republic of Kenya. Raila, at one point, had built a lead of over 1 million votes.

Just after midnight, results from Kibaki strongholds started reporting. What looked at one point to be an invincible lead was now within a distance. It was pain and agony for Raila’s voters, while for Kibaki supporters, a script of the comeback kid was being written.