Who is Raila Odinga?

Raila Odinga: An Enigma in Kenyan politics, a book by Dr. Babafemi Adesina Badejo traces the journey of one individual, Raila Amolo Odinga, as he negotiates the treacherous political terrain of post-independence Kenya ... His achievement is to render accessible both the complex political history of Kenya and the personal story of one of the most influential and controversial actors on the contemporary Kenyan political scene. "Raila Odinga: An Enigma in Kenyan Politics" is an excellent introduction for the uninitiated to the complex landscape of Kenyan politics...read more "- Dr. Jeremy Matam Farrall, University of Tasmania, Australia

Press Articles about Book

Raila's Biography Marks Step in the Right Direction - The Standard Overall, the book gives Raila's admirers and haters alike a pin on which to peg the politician. It is interesting that the writer gave both categories of people a chance to have their say on Raila and published the responses without interpreting or editing them. That is as delicate as it gets when writing about Raila. The book is a beginning in the right direction. Read full article (external link) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Raila - the Man Behind the Mask - Daily Nation The Raila Odinga biography that was due to be launched in Nairobi last evening is a welcome addition to the rare collection of political biographies in Kenya. In Raila Odinga, An Enigma in Kenyan Politics, Nigerian lawyer and political scientist Dr Babafemi Badejo offers a sympathetic portrait of one of Kenya's most controversial politicians. The book is not just the story of Mr Odinga, but a study of the evolution of Kenya politics over the last 25 or so years. Read full article (external link) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Book reveals toture secrets - The Standard he secrets of the Nyayo House torture chambers, the police state that Kenya had become in mid 1980s and the 1982 failed coup have resurfaced with a chilling impact in the biography of a man who went through it. Details of what happened to those who fell victim to state repression read like scenes from a horror film as detailed in Raila Odinga’s biography unveiled on Thursday. Read full article (external link) View more

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Review delivered by Dr. Julian Fisher at book's launch Comments about the book Precis