Raila Odinga, born 7 January 1945 in Maseno, Kenya, was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the country’s first vice-president after independence.
He earned a degree in mechanical engineering in East Germany before returning to Kenya and entering politics.
Over several decades, Odinga became one of Kenya’s most prominent opposition figures. He entered Parliament in 1992 and forged a reputation as a determined advocate for multiparty democracy and constitutional reform.
His career included imprisonment and exile during the one‐party era under President Daniel arap Moi.
In the aftermath of the disputed 2007 presidential election, which triggered widespread violence, Odinga entered into a power‐sharing agreement and served as Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013.
For years he ran repeatedly for the presidency—five times—never winning the top job but remaining central to Kenya’s political life.
His Kalenjin Nickname: “Arap Mibei”
Among the many ethnic communities in Kenya he engaged with, the Kalenjin people gave him the name “Arap Mibei.” In Kalenjin language, Arap means “son of,” and Mibei translates to “water.” Put together, the name can be interpreted as “son of water.” That title held symbolic value: in many African cultures water is associated with life, renewal and the flow of change.
By being called Arap Mibei, Odinga was acknowledged for his outreach beyond his Luo base and his perceived role in refreshing political debate and forging broader connections.
The nickname took root particularly in the Rift Valley region, where Odinga’s efforts to engage communities that felt marginalised earned him respect.
Over time, Arap Mibei not only reflected cultural affection but also served as a marker of his cross‐ethnic appeal.
His Final Days and Burial
On Wednesday, 15 October 2025, Raila Odinga died of a heart attack while receiving treatment in Kerala, India, at the age of 80. The news triggered national mourning in Kenya.
A state funeral was arranged, with thousands of mourners gathering in Nairobi and in his home region in western Kenya.
The ceremonies were marked by both grief and tension: at one point police opened fire at a stadium crowd trying to view his body, resulting in casualties.
As Kenyans offered their final farewells, the nickname Arap Mibei re-emerged in tributes.
Supporters used it to signify how Odinga had been seen — not only as a leader from one tribe, but as a broader national figure, someone whose influence carried across ethnic and regional divides.
Legacy Reflected
The story of Raila Odinga is in many respects the story of Kenya’s modern political journey: the move from one-party rule to multiparty democracy; the tension between ethnic loyalty and national identity; the repeated hope, disappointment and persistence of one man.
His passing leaves a leadership vacuum and prompts reflection on the values he championed: political pluralism, public accountability and cross-community outreach.
The name Arap Mibei remains one of the more poignant reminders of how he was regarded by segments of the population: as “son of water,” a figure whose presence was meant to refresh, to connect, and to flow beyond boundaries.
