Raila Odinga has for a long time remained the symbol of bravery and stoicism in the face of debilitating adversity and authoritarianism. Growing up in rural Luo Nyanza, he was on the lips of our parents.
They called him endearing names. Every prized bull in every family was called Raila, Tinga, Agwambo, Amollo, or Baba's little-known moniker only known by native speakers of the Luo language "chuma liet" - hot metal.