Raila Odinga: The man who changed Kenya without ever ruling it
Professor Justin Willis, who will lead the research on the late Raila Odinga's contribution to Kenya's democratisation process. Photo/Courtesy and File
A team of international scholars has convened under the auspices of Durham University’s Department of History to examine the political life and legacy of Kenya’s foremost opposition leader and reform champion, Raila Odinga.
The project, announced shortly after his death, seeks to understand how a man who never occupied the presidency came to shape Kenya’s politics, institutions and identity more profoundly than many who did.
Led by Professor Justin Willis of Durham, the research brings together an impressive group of collaborators — Professor Gabrielle Lynch of the University of Warwick, Professor Karuti Kanyinga of the University of Nairobi, and Professor Nic Cheeseman of the University of Birmingham.
The study, published under Durham’s “Thought Leadership” series, carries the title “Raila Odinga: The Man Who Changed Kenya Without Ever Ruling It.”
The scholars argue that Odinga’s absence “creates a political vacuum that other leaders will struggle to fill,” reflecting the extraordinary reach of his influence.
The research explores Raila Odinga’s political journey from his early years in opposition to his central role in Kenya’s long struggle for constitutional reform.
It traces how his advocacy for multi-party democracy in the late 1980s and 1990s transformed Kenya’s political landscape, culminating in his contribution to the 2010 Constitution--a document that enshrined devolution and remains his most enduring political legacy.
Through detailed archival research and interviews, the study examines how Odinga’s repeated presidential bids in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 shaped Kenya’s electoral history and redefined the country’s expectations of political leadership.
In addition to mapping his national impact, the researchers assess how Odinga’s persistent push for equitable resource distribution and decentralised governance led to the birth and strengthening of county governments.
They analyse the evolution of devolution as an idea--from its rejection during the “majimbo” debates of the 1960s, when Odinga was still a young observer of his father’s political battles, to its eventual acceptance under the 2010 Constitution, a moment widely seen as the fulfilment of his vision for inclusive governance.
The project also considers the broader social and cultural dimensions of his politics: his ability to mobilise marginalised communities, build alliances across party lines, and negotiate moments of national crisis, such as the 2018 Handshake with then President Uhuru Kenyatta.
By weaving together Kenya’s political, historical and civic evolution, the researchers seek to explain why Odinga became not just a politician, but a symbol of resilience and reform.
According to Durham University, the study employs a combination of archival investigation, comparative political analysis, and first-hand accounts from leaders and activists who worked alongside or opposed him.
The team intends to situate Odinga’s story within a broader African and global context--comparing his reformist influence to figures such as Nelson Mandela and Kwame Nkrumah, who shaped national destinies through moral authority as much as political power.
Although the full monograph and timeline for publication have not yet been announced, the Durham project underscores a growing international recognition of Raila Odinga’s contribution to democracy and devolution.
For Kenya, the study represents not only an academic undertaking but also an act of national reflection--a chance to re-examine how one man’s long, unfinished struggle altered the course of the republic.
Raila Odinga’s story, now under the scrutiny of historians, remains deeply intertwined with Kenya’s own--a reminder that true leadership is not always measured by the offices one holds, but by the transformations one leaves behind.
