Although the odds are not in his favor with the impending election petition, for me, Raila has my utmost respect and admiration.
He has my respect and admiration because throughout the years he has indefatigably fought the good fight.
He has fought the good fight in hopes of making his country a better place.
And he has paid for it. Not the ultimate price but one that is worthy of praise, recognition, and respect.
Detained and incarcerated on multiple occasions, he never gave up.
His resolve has been put to the test many times, he never surrendered.
They did him dirty in '07, he never lost hope. In fact, he kept it alive.
It's that stick-to-itiveness quality in him that has brought Kenya to where it is today.
One can't talk of democratic reforms in Kenya without the name Odinga.
Ridicule him, dismiss him, clown him, call him every name in the book, but you can't ignore the immensity of his contribution.
Indeed, the name Odinga is synonymous with the struggle for democracy and justice in Kenya.
Some of us marvel with envy at the progress that Kenya has made with regards to democracy and the rule of law but at the same time fail to pay homage to the 'agitators' who have brought it to where it is.
I refuse to be one of them.
