In Africa, coups are usually classified into three configurations. The direct one is where the military takes over and a commander kicks out another by brutal way. This is normal in 1960s. The second one is those who are linked with ideological revolutionaries. They are the ones who seize powers and take social responsibility for transforming society into a new form. That was how it happened to political leaders like Gamal Abdel Nasser in Egypt, Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, and Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso. The third groups do a mixed approach of political figures whereby they contest the legitimacy of the government to become included in power even if the power already exists.
Raila Odinga has been a well-sought Kenya opposition leader who appears to be closely connected to the last type, where the goal to challenge ruling govements through political pressure without applying force is pursued. Over the decades, his strategies have been instrumental in reaching power-sharing agreements with multiple administrations. His latest success in President William Ruto’s government is no different as he continues to use his political could-be to gain a significant role in power while formally not holding an executive position again.
The similar thing was seen in 2008 when Raila, with the help of international negotiation, got the position of Prime Minister in a power-sharing agreement with the then-president Mwai Kibaki who had been in a controversial election. The same situation occurred in 2018 when the handshake of Raila and the president Uhuru Kenyatta rearranged the politics of the country leaving then-Deputy President Ruto out. Under Ruto’s rule, Raila Odinga makes a presence once again, and political analysts say he has put himself as an informal co-leader. The scenario is worsened by Ruto’s field of the economy and high levels of social unrest among the youth, a situation his government breathes in at the moment that makes him vulnerable to political negotiation.
Raila’s strategy is that of a power struggle which is dynamic in Africa. Opposition leaders get hold of political chaos such that they gain leverage without deploying addicts to power centers. Navigating its political future of Kenya pulls the regime closer to the people and opposition a country’s authority is by far the most important factor in developing the leadership of such a country.