In an intimate 2017 interview with The Standard, the ODM leader revealed that he had harboured the will to become Kenya’s president for a while and was working hard towards achieving the goal.Â
He confided in prolific writer, Yvonne Aoll, during a tour of his backyard that he would ensure he became president and if he did not, it would be his greatest regret in life.
Here is how the interview went:
Interviewer: If, God forbid, you passed away tomorrow, what would your greatest regret be?
Raila: Not having led our country the way I always hoped to.
Interviewer: Which is?
Raila: Giving the people what they’ve always wanted.
Interviewer: Which means? Having you as president?
Raila: Yes.
So intent on taking the top job was Odinga that, in January 2018, he organised a ceremony at Uhuru Park aided by lawyer Miguna Miguna where he was sworn in as the people’s president.Â
He argued that his votes had been rigged in favour of his competitor, President Uhuru Kenyatta who won the 2017 polls.
The two, however, reconciled on March 9, 2018, and entered into a partnership they christened ‘handshake’ in an effort to foster unity across all communities in the country.
During the interview, the former premier also noted that he would retire from politics but vowed to ensure that the structure of government was stronger than he found it.
“Certainly (he would retire from politics). No one is immune to old age. In another 50 years, I definitely won’t be in the game. But I hope to have left behind a strong governance structure that could serve our people well,” he continued.
He further hinted on what he would do after retiring, including putting up investments around the region.
“Fidel had a piece of land nearby, I’ll be doing the same. I’ll definitely retire around here. It’s a great area to have some investment. Mheshimiwa Olago has done very well,” he continued.
