Swaleh Mdoe reflects on Raila Odinga’s legacy in new book

"RAILA ODINGA: The man, the legend, the enigma," is a brief reflection on the former Right Honourable Prime Minister's life story. 

"A lot has been written about Raila, and he even wrote his biography, Flames of Freedom, but his story cannot be completed with one book. There's a lot to write about the man who, having self-identified as a revolutionary, dedicated all his life to fighting for democracy and good governance," Mdoe says on his new book.

Mdoe says the book isn't reinventing the wheel, but recollecting some of Raila's remarkable events he witnessed as a journalist in Kenya.

Mdoe says he was inspired to document Odinga’s legacy as a way of honouring the late opposition leader and preserving his place in Kenya’s history.

“I decided to write the book because I wanted it to be part of the history, part of the legacy of Baba one year after his demise,” Mdoe said.

Mdoe says the book explores Odinga’s political history, including his time in exile, as well as political developments following his death, with a focus on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and its broad-based political arrangement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The journalist’s connection with Odinga dates back to 1994, when he travelled to Kang’o ka Jaramogi in Siaya County to attend the burial of Odinga’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

Mdoe said he made the journey from Mombasa to Kisumu alongside former Islamic Party of Kenya (IPK) leader Sheikh Khalid Balala while working for the Weekly Mail newspaper.

He noted that Odinga was not yet as widely known nationally as he would become in the years that followed.

According to the veteran journalist, he chose to also focus on events from October 15, examining the political intrigues and developments that have shaped the party and its relationship with the government since Odinga’s demise.

“Raila left a big gap since his demise. Although that is not covered in my book, I focused more on the events between October last year up to date,” he said.

Mdoe also recalled his personal connections with members of the Odinga family, saying he had been friends with Odinga’s late son, Fidel, and later became friends with his son, Raila Odinga Junior.

He recently met Odinga’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, during an event where she received an award on her father’s behalf.

The award, known as the Hall of Fame, was presented by the Kenya Publishers Association in recognition of Odinga’s book, ‘The Flame of Freedom’.

Mdoe, who has spent years in journalism, is also an author with several publications to his name, including TV News Anchoring: A Practical Guide to Professional Newscasting, Newsroom Raw Currents: A Diary of a Kenyan Journalist, Mwanasiasa, Mpira wa Kilo na Wenzake, Tafakari ya Babu, Michezo Yetu, Nachora kwa Maneno and Fumbo la Hadaa.

He hopes the new publication will contribute to the historical record of Odinga’s life and political journey.

“I hope the book is going to be enough or will suffice to be part of his history,” he said.

The book is expected to be released this month, described as ‘Mwezi wa Baba’, and will be available in bookshops across the country.