Raila Odinga was born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, into a politically active family led by his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

He grew up in a household steeped in political and intellectual engagement, shaped by his father’s role in Kenya’s independence movement.

In 1962, Raila left Kenya for East Germany to pursue higher education in German and engineering. He studied at the Herder Institute and later at the Technical University in Magdeburg, preparing for a career in mechanical engineering.

- Raila graduated in 1970 with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering and returned to Kenya to teach at the University of Nairobi.
- He later joined the Kenya Bureau of Standards and rose to become Deputy Director by 1978.
- His political activism began to intensify during this period, challenging one-party rule under President Moi.

- In 1982, Raila was imprisoned without trial for alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt.
- He endured multiple detentions throughout the decade for his pro-democracy stance and calls for reform.

- In 1991, Raila fled to Norway for political asylum due to threats to his safety.
- He returned in 1992, joined FORD–K, and was elected MP for Lang’ata.
- After his father’s death in 1994, Raila moved to NDP and ran for president in 1997, finishing third but retaining his parliamentary seat.

- Raila’s NDP merged with KANU, and he was appointed Minister for Energy in 2001.
- He helped form the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) in 2002, which won the elections, and served as Minister for Roads from 2003 to 2005.
- In 2007, he contested the presidency again, and the disputed results led to post-election violence.
- A mediated agreement led to Raila’s appointment as Prime Minister in 2008 under a coalition government.

- Raila served as Prime Minister until 2013, after which the position was abolished under the new Constitution.
- He remained a key opposition figure, contesting elections and leading coalitions like CORD and NASA.
- In 2018, he was appointed African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development.

- Raila continued his political engagement through the Azimio la Umoja coalition and contested the 2022 presidential election.
- On October 15, 2025, he passed away in Kochi, India, while undergoing medical treatment.