Acclaimed journalist Linus Kaikai paid a heartfelt tribute to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Citizen TV Wednesday afternoon, just hours after the opposition stalwart's death at age 80.
Drawing from decades of covering Kenyan politics, Kaikai lamented Odinga's missed opportunity to lead as prime minister in 2003 rather than 2008.
The remarks came amid widespread national mourning following Odinga's passing in India while undergoing treatment.
Odinga's political ascent marked turning points in Kenya's democratic journey. In 2001, President Daniel arap Moi appointed him as Minister for Energy, a groundbreaking move that integrated opposition voices into the government for the first time.
This alliance paved the way for Odinga's support of Mwai Kibaki's 2002 National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) victory, ending Moi's long rule.
The 2003 election ushered in reforms, including free primary education that enrolled millions of children and briefly crowned Kenya the world's most optimistic nation in early surveys.
Kaikai, Royal Media Services' Group Editorial Director, captured Odinga's enduring narrative.
"Raila Odinga was supposed to have been Prime Minister in 2003 not 2008," he stated. "I remember the mood in the country in January 2003, we were ranked the happiest nation and most optimistic nation in the world because that is the time the new government poured in millions of kids into free primary education."
He further underscored Odinga's magnetic pull on the political stage.
"Raila Odinga has been a most compelling political story for many decades and he was a story before we joined the industry," Kaikai noted.
"Raila Odinga in 2001 through his relationship with President Moi, was appointed Minister for Energy. For the first time, President Moi incorporated opposition figures into the government."
Drawing from decades of covering Kenyan politics, Kaikai lamented Odinga's missed opportunity to lead as prime minister in 2003 rather than 2008.
The remarks came amid widespread national mourning following Odinga's passing in India while undergoing treatment.
Odinga's political ascent marked turning points in Kenya's democratic journey. In 2001, President Daniel arap Moi appointed him as Minister for Energy, a groundbreaking move that integrated opposition voices into the government for the first time.
This alliance paved the way for Odinga's support of Mwai Kibaki's 2002 National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) victory, ending Moi's long rule.
The 2003 election ushered in reforms, including free primary education that enrolled millions of children and briefly crowned Kenya the world's most optimistic nation in early surveys.
Kaikai, Royal Media Services' Group Editorial Director, captured Odinga's enduring narrative.
"Raila Odinga was supposed to have been Prime Minister in 2003 not 2008," he stated. "I remember the mood in the country in January 2003, we were ranked the happiest nation and most optimistic nation in the world because that is the time the new government poured in millions of kids into free primary education."
He further underscored Odinga's magnetic pull on the political stage.
"Raila Odinga has been a most compelling political story for many decades and he was a story before we joined the industry," Kaikai noted.
"Raila Odinga in 2001 through his relationship with President Moi, was appointed Minister for Energy. For the first time, President Moi incorporated opposition figures into the government."
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