Why Raila supporters called him ‘The People’s President’

Kenya's key opposition figure Raila Amolo Odinga, the man supporters fondly called ‘The People’s President’, has died at the age of 80 while receiving treatment in India.

His death which occurred on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, marks the end of a political chapter that shaped Kenya’s democracy, inspired hope among generations, and challenged the nation to hold its leaders accountable to the people.

A President Without a Palace

To his admirers, Raila Odinga did not need State House to be their president.

His presidency was somewhat spiritual, drawn from the faith and affection of a people who saw in him the reflection of their struggles. He embodied defiance, resilience, and the belief that power belongs to the citizen.

The title “The People’s President” became indelible on January 30, 2018, when he stood before a cheering crowd at Uhuru Park and took a symbolic oath of office after rejecting the results of the 2017 presidential election.

The event was as controversial as it was historic. It cemented Raila’s place in the national psyche, not as a holder of power, but as the living symbol of resistance against electoral injustice.

For many Kenyans, especially those who felt excluded or unheard, that day was not about politics.

It was about voice. It was about reclaiming dignity in a system they believed had failed them.

“Raila was not just fighting for votes,” said a supporter at the time.

“He was fighting for us.”

The Making of “Baba”

Born in 1945 in Maseno, Kisumu County, Raila Odinga inherited both the charisma and courage of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice-president and a founding figure of opposition politics. Educated in East Germany, Raila’s worldview was shaped by socialist ideals of equity and social justice. Those values became the compass of his long political life.

From detention under Daniel arap Moi’s regime to five unsuccessful presidential bids, Raila’s story was one of relentless pursuit. Not of power for its own sake, but of the principle that government should serve its people. He was the face of opposition through Kenya’s turbulent years, pushing for multiparty democracy, constitutional reform, and a fairer distribution of national resources.

As Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013, Odinga helped steer the country through a fragile post-election peace and oversaw the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, a moment that fulfilled part of his lifelong dream of a more inclusive Kenya.

A Symbol Larger Than Politics

Even after formal power eluded him, Odinga’s influence never waned. His rallies drew tens of thousands, his words stirred debate in Parliament and the streets alike, and his name carried the weight of possibility. To his supporters, he was the conscience of the nation. The one who dared when others compromised.

Critics accused him of fostering division, but even they acknowledged his unmatched connection to the ordinary Kenyan. Whether in Kibera, Kisumu, or Kitale, Raila listened, empathised, and inspired. His brand of politics was not just about leadership, it was about belonging.

His famous slogan, “Baba while you were away,” became shorthand for the affection millions felt toward him. A reminder that even when he stood outside power, his presence loomed large within Kenya’s collective heart.

The People’s President, Forever

Raila Odinga passed away on Tuesday morning following a cardiac arrest in New Delhi, India. His family confirmed the news, prompting tributes from leaders across Africa and an outpouring of emotion at home. Vigils have since been held in Kisumu, Nairobi, and Mombasa, cities that for decades echoed with chants of “Baba! Baba!”

Odinga will be remembered as The People’s President not because he sat in the highest office, but because he captured the soul of a nation.

He fought for democracy when it was dangerous to do so, gave voice to the voiceless, and inspired a movement that redefined Kenya’s political identity.

In his passing, Kenya loses not just a politician, but a symbol. A reminder that true leadership is not conferred by title or office, but by the love, trust, and faith of the people.

Raila Amolo Odinga, The People’s President, rests, but the spirit of his struggle endures.