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3 major losses Raila Odinga endured in his long political journey
15th October, 2025 04:40 PM
Raila Odinga’s political life was marked by endurance and the pursuit of leadership. Over the years, he faced several setbacks that tested his strength and patience, yet he remained one of Kenya’s most influential and respected political figures.
Among the many challenges in his career, three moments stood out as the most painful losses he endured.
Watch: End of an era as Raila Odinga passes away
AUC chairperson loss
In February 2025, Raila Odinga vied for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Since he had never won the presidency at home despite several attempts, many of his supporters felt this was his moment to claim a major leadership role on the continental stage, finally.
However, his bid was unsuccessful, leaving many disappointed. The loss was seen as another missed opportunity for the veteran politician, whose influence extended far beyond Kenya’s borders.
Also watch: Why Raila lost the AUC chairmanship race
President Ruto highlighted Raila’s commitment, stating that he was always present and available throughout the campaign process.
“Hon@RailaOdinga rolled out a formidable and effective campaign for the position of African Union Commission chairperson across the continent. His inspiring message of what is needed for the continent’s transformation brought our country, Eastern Africa and Africa together. We thank everyone who contributed to his campaign,” he noted.
2022 presidential loss
The 2022 general election was viewed as Raila’s best chance at the presidency. Running under the Azimio la Umoja coalition, he had the backing of then-President Uhuru Kenyatta and enjoyed strong state support.
Many believed that this was the race that would finally deliver his long-held dream of leading the nation. However, he narrowly lost to William Ruto, who was declared President after a tightly contested race.
The outcome marked one of the most painful defeats in his political journey, especially because it came when he appeared to have everything aligned in his favour.
The 2017 presidential rerun boycott
The 2017 presidential election was one of the most dramatic moments in Kenya’s history. After the Supreme Court nullified the August 8 election due to irregularities, a fresh poll was ordered.
However, Raila Odinga, then the NASA coalition leader, chose to boycott the rerun, saying that the electoral commission had not met the necessary conditions for a fair contest.
His decision drew mixed reactions but marked one of the biggest political gambles of his career. The boycott left the seat uncontested by the opposition, and President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner.
Despite these losses, Raila’s journey showed a man who never gave up on his vision for Kenya, even when the odds were against him.
