Former Prime Minister and CORD leader Raila Odinga has contested for president since 1997, but there are Kenyans who have always beaten him.
In 1992, Raila’s father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, contested for presidency but lost against former President Moi with a huge margin.
In that particular election, Daniel Moi, who contested on a KANU ticket garnered 1,927,645 against Jaramogi’s 903,886.That was the last time Jaramogi’s name featured in an election.
Raila, being the only son Jaramogi trusted with inheritance, picked up from where his father left. Under the National Development Party, Raila registered as a presidential candidate in 1997, but as fate would have it he became third, behind Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki.
In 2002, he chickened out and instead supported Mwai Kibaki.If he dared contest at that time, he would have come third, behind Uhuru and Mwai kibaki.
In 2007, with all the pentagon support and all tribes except The Kikuyu and Kamba behind him, Raila lost again to Mwai Kibaki.
In 2013, he was fully prepared to beat Uhuru, knowing very well the president had a case at the ICC and was an underdog, according to opinion polls. Shock hit him like a truck when the young Uhuru beat him.
Looking at the history and considering that Kibaki and Moi are all behind Uhuru, the former prime minister would be wasting his time contesting for president in 2017.
First, Raila is not near power, which puts him in an awkward position. He is not guaranteed support as was the case in 2007.He is also not the charming Raila we knew.
Unless Uhuru pulls out of the race, Raila stands no chance.