Raila Odinga’s push for policy reforms, Kenya’s economic emancipation

Raila Odinga’s long political journey is a story of economic reform and national transformation.

Beyond rallies and elections, he helped shape Kenya’s economic vision, encompassing infrastructure, equity, and devolution.

As Minister for Roads, Public Works, and Housing between 2003 and 2005 under President Mwai Kibaki’s NARC government, Odinga championed infrastructure renewal as the backbone of national development.

During this time, major projects such as the rehabilitation of key highways, the expansion of Nairobi’s road network, and the upgrading of rural roads were launched.

His push for better infrastructure laid the groundwork that later inspired the government’s Vision 2030 blueprint, which aimed to transform Kenya into a middle-income economy through large-scale infrastructure development, manufacturing, and innovation.

One of Raila’s greatest contributions to Kenya’s economic structure was his role in embedding devolution in the 2010 Constitution.

For decades, Odinga had argued that national development was skewed toward Nairobi and a few major cities. The new Constitution institutionalized his vision of “development where the people are,” giving counties control over their own budgets and priorities. This reform changed the face of governance, allowing county governments to plan local roads, health services, and agricultural programs that directly benefit residents. The economic results are visible in counties like Makueni and Kakamega, where devolved resources have improved healthcare, local industries, and social services.

During the Grand Coalition Government (2008–2013), where Odinga served as Prime Minister, his influence on economic policy deepened. He supported public investments in energy and port expansion, including groundwork for the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor, now one of East Africa’s biggest infrastructure projects.

These initiatives reinforced his belief that regional connectivity was key to growth. Odinga’s ideas often merged economic and political thinking, pushing for policies that balanced national progress with regional inclusion.

Throughout his career, Odinga remained consistent in advocating for equitable development. He spoke openly against policies that favored a few regions or elite groups, emphasizing the need to uplift small traders, farmers, and the youth.

His vision aligned with modern social enterprise ideas, where economic growth must translate into better lives for ordinary citizens.

The Azimio la Umoja movement, which he led in 2022, echoed these long-held ideals: fairness, decentralization, and accountability.

Even in opposition, his calls for stronger local economies and transparent management of public funds shaped Kenya’s ongoing debate on taxation, job creation, and the cost of living.

Today, Odinga’s economic legacy can be traced in the country’s highways, devolved counties, and reform-minded policies that seek to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

Whether viewed as a reformer, nationalist, or opposition leader, his economic philosophy remains clear: Kenya’s growth must serve everyone, not just a few.