Nominated MCA and close relative narrates how Raila earned his nickname ‘Tinga’
Nominated Member of County Assembly Wifrida Arunda, who is also a relative of Raila Amolo Odinga, described a political journey she had with the departed leader, giving details of how Raila earned the Tinga-Tinga nickname.
Arunda, while eulogizing Raila during a Siaya assembly special sitting on Thursday, October 16, 2025, revisited Raila’s political struggle and strategies he adopted to create political parties that enhanced his relevance and built his career.
You might also like
Also Watch: Overwhelming crowd at JKIA forces military to abandon Raila’s reception plans
People keep on referring to Raila as Tinga-tinga, yet they don’t know how he acquired it; others thought he earned it from his boldness, but he earned it on the day he appeared with a tractor from a bush during the launch of the NDP party, which he had acquired from a person in Gem sub-County.
“I was shocked to see Raila appearing from a bush while riding on a tractor after hours of waiting at Bomas of Kenya; from that day, he earned the tinga-tinga name.
Arunda, who was endorsed by Raila and enlisted in the slot of the nominated MCAs, said the position he earned followed the political struggles she went through in Nairobi.
“It’s like a dream to me that I am driving a vehicle today because of the favour from Raila.
Also Watch: Siaya county assembly holds special sitting to mourn Raila Odinga
Arunda added that she declared her interests for the Langata Central seat and lost the seat twice. In 2005, she decided to opt out of politics and joined the church in 2005.
“I am an honorable member in Siaya courtesy of Raila and had lost hope that I would be slotted for any position. I abandoned Nairobi politics and returned home, where I joined the Catholic Church and devoted my life to Christ,” Arunda said.
Was shocked one day when Mama Idah Odinga sought my personal details, not knowing that God was at work,” she added.
Raila’s contribution to KANU
During the formation of parties, Arunda said, Raila later joined KANU and wanted to be the secretary general after the late Michael Wamalwa had disappeared with the Ford Kenya certificate.
“There was infighting in the KANU party till Moi declared Raila as the Secretary General of the party, and Raila opted out after finding that he could not abide by the party ideologies.
Raila walked out of the Kanu party with other politicians, including the late George Saitoti and Kamotho, and later formed the Rainbow coalition and nurtured ex-president Mwai Kibaki politically,” said Arunda.
She also recalled how they were visiting Raila at the detention every Saturday.
“Every Saturday, my husband and I would visit Raila at the detention and would carry with us corned beef and a box of milk till my husband earned the name Uncle Corned Beef,” she recalled.
She further lauded Mama Idah for the support and care she accorded Raila. “On several occasions, Mama Ida could drive Raila herself and change directions to protect her husband,” she added.
