Is opposition leader Raila Odinga grooming his two children, Raila Odinga Junior and Winnie Odinga for politics?
Junior, 38 and Winnie 27 have of late been seen around their father in major events some of which have turned to be life threatening.
For example, after Raila’s return from the US in mid-November, Winnie rode with his father. She also accompanied him during his US visit.
She was in the Range Rover that was smashed by a bullet but it never pierced through as the windscreen is bullet proof.
“I just could not believe that the PM’s car was actually coming under fire in broad daylight with scores of witnesses looking on,” she narrated the ordeal.
“Had it not been a bullet-proof car, that bullet would have hit Mzee. Two bullets also hit the car on the side I was sitting.
Junior on the other hand, has become quite vocal in matters NASA politics.
He has become quite active on nation political matters and more than one time, he has aggressively engaged his father’s opponents on twitter.
He chided police and Jubilee administration over use of excessive force to quell demonstrations by NASA within the city.
In a tweet on November 22, he said: “Picketing is legal, police protection should be a requirement, but these days police are so disastrous and chaotic.
“Giving police tear gas to solve almost everything is going to produce disastrous results.”
With Raila’s retirement dangerously approaching, there are rumours that the two have political interests in Bondo-his native home and in Nairobi.
In these two areas, Raila commands a huge following.
A source within the former Prime Minister’s family told the Star that Raila is preparing to pass the baton.
The confidant who requested for anonymity confirmed that the two will have their political ambitions in Bondo, Siaya County and in Nairobi.
Another confidant of Raila told the Star in relation to his children joining politics: “They appear to be driven more by love for their father. But they are also coming face-to-face with the wickedness their father faced that led to his detention. They have no option but to fight.”
In recent interviews with Kenya’s local media, Winnie said she is ready to be by her father’s side unconditionally and at all times.
Speaking to the Nairobian during a past interview, Winnie, an international business and corporate communications graduate described herself as her father’s “bodyguard, briefcase carrier, travel companion or even driver, if need be.”
Raila’s last born, Rosemary Odinga-a vibrant political egghead was also actively engaged in matters NASA politics.
She had expressed her ambition to run for Kibra MP but suffered a setback after she fell ill with a brain tumor.
Since her illness, she has remained out of the public and political scene.
It is not yet clear when Raila will hand his political boots now that has defied the orders that be and plans on being “sworn-in” on December 12 as President through the People’s Assembly.