The Enigma of Baba Odinga : Is He Truly the Luo Nyanza Kingpin?

Why do Nyanza politicians view Raila Amolo Odinga popularly known as (RAO)  as an invincible lion who can’t be challenged? Or rather, as an empty storehouse with not a grain of corn?

When it comes to voting for Ruto or supporting grandpa RAO, don’t be deceived! If the presidential election were held today, RAO’s votes in the Nyanza region would remain unopposed.

Even the Nyanza MPs who disdain him and dine at State House will seek him out at night, just as Herod in the Bible approached Jesus and begged for forgiveness.

Read also:Nairobi Azimio MCAs Ditch Raila Odinga for Ruto

I’m sure they’ll plead for him to understand their ‘ignorance,’ some may even shed tears and gnash their teeth, claiming that the devil deceived them. I won’t mention any promises not to repeat the mistake of associating with Ruto. Why? In Nyanza, believe it or not, RAO’s word is law.

Anyone who appears to go against what RAO wants is dragged away and cast out by the people. If you doubt this, ask governors Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) and James Orfengo of Siaya.

When they thought their education and wealth of expertise would enable them to ignore RAO, the people rejected them.

They lost their parliamentary seats, later humbled themselves, and begged for forgiveness. Don’t try to tell me that RAO has lost his political sway.

Read also:Kikuyu Council of Elders Urges Odinga to Cancel Saba Saba Rally for National Unity

Listen carefully: Until his last breath, RAO is the political bishop of Nyanza. Even if he becomes frail and is fed porridge through a straw, his loyal followers will continue to obey him without question.

Nyanza MPs who went to State House the other day will continue to be badly influenced by RAO, even if he departs from this world! If you hail from Nyanza, you cannot oppose or underestimate RAO and continue to breathe politically as usual; you will face great difficulties.

He demanded to be called there himself, to be served a plate of sauce to pour over them, and if they refused, they would be in trouble. If you ask him why, he’ll respond with a question: ‘Where were they when I was founding and building the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)?’

And I think RAO has spread his influence even to the strongholds of the affiliate parties of the coalition he leads, Azimio. The other day, I had a conversation with my friend from the Ukambani region about the negotiations between the opposition and the government, and he told me he was waiting for “Baba’s” voice.

“We follow ‘Baba,’ his voice is everything. If he says Ruto is the president, we’ll repeat that statement. If he says otherwise, we’ll wholeheartedly agree with him,” my friend argued.

When I asked Kalonzo Musyoka, who leads the Azimio group in those negotiations, he told me, “We don’t listen to handpicked people.”

He meant that Kalonzo was appointed by RAO to oversee those negotiations, so the person who gave him that task has a louder voice, and his followers know that.

Unlike an old lion struggling and left with bare bones due to a lack of hunting prowess, RAO can devour them all at once, then lick his lips and go to sleep!