From Jaramogi to Elijah: Family where politics is in the blood

The Odingas are a political family. The patriarch Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was Kenya’s first Vice-President.

Indeed, he is remembered as the doyen of Kenyan opposition politics, having served as both formal and informal leader of the opposition for decades.

Oburu Oginga, 78, is also a seasoned politician, having been elected or nominated for Parliament and the East Africa Legislative Assembly.

The former Bondo MP has also served as Finance Assistant Minister in the Grand Coalition government of President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

This year, Oburu, who is Raila’s elder brother, is running for the Siaya Senate seat.

Oburu’s candidature has however drawn sharp criticism from  his opponents, who claim that he enjoys an unfair advantage being an Odinga.

Interestingly, Oburu’s son, Elijah, vied for the Kisumu Central Parliamentary seat but lost to businessman Joshua Oron in the ODM nominations.

“Many people who are saying that the Odingas are grabbing political seats are getting it wrong,” Oburu said in defence of the family. “My sister Ruth and I are aggressively campaigning.”

He was refering to Ruth Odinga, a former deputy governor for Kisumu County, who is seeking to be elected Siaya Woman Rep.

“If we had the power to get the seats, then my own son Elijah, who lost in the nominations, would be a candidate in Kisumu Central,” said Oburu.

How will they fare at the ballot next month? Only voters will decide.