Nairobi, Kenya – E don happen! The former Prime Minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga, don pass away at age 80. Family don confirm say he die while he dey receive treatment for hospital for India, wey all of us sabi no be joke matter.
Dem talk say Odinga, wey be one serious political player for Kenya, don dey get health issue for some time now, but e no be say him family na “critical illness” as dem don dey brush aside that one before. Na big shock for politics, as this man don fight long battle for democracy and good governance for him country.
Baba Odinga no be small paddy, him don run for presidency five times and each time dem show am ‘go-slow’ with election results. As e dey talk am, he get the gree-gree, say dem don steal him victory. We no fit forget when in 2017, the highest court for Kenya finally vindicated him after dem annul Uhuru Kenyatta’s win, but calm down, instead of taking the W, he just decide to dodge the rerun, dey shout ‘we go need electoral reforms’ first.
E dey interesting how Baba sabi manage to reconcile with current President William Ruto after each election wahala. E don join am for government since after the hot contest last year, where voters take their voice right to the streets – no be small matter when protesters dey clash with security agents. People dey talk say wey get unity matter, big problem for inside all the political drama.
Even for election wey happened this year for the African Union position, Baba take strong chance but vex when dem give am backside. He lose to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, despite am get major support. Talk say political life no easy, na real wahala.
As him don depart us, many go remember how him inspire plenty people, especially for western Kenya, where dem dey call am “Baba,” “Agwambo,” and even “Tinga.” E don build solid followership wey no dey joke, like say na small matter wey dem dey call am ‘Father’ for election rallies where him dey always show magic.
Odinga no only mastermind campaigns, e still get history as political prisoner wey don hold record for longest stay for detention for Kenya during the old regime of Daniel arap Moi. Twice, e don see inside prison because e try one coup back in 1982. From that time, him climb rise like proper political champ.
As we dey mourn Baba Odinga, we go still remember say him fight for democratic rights and human rights go shine for plenty years. Omo, true leaders no dey easy to find, and as him enjoy him rest, we dey hope say na him legacy continue to inspire new generation wey go fit carry the torch go ahead.
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