Ex-U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger has eulogized former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a friend and a principled man. In his tribute following the death of Odinga on October 15 while receiving treatment in India, Ranneberger recalled the 2007 post-election crisis when Kenya was on the brink. Here is his tribute:
“I am profoundly saddened by the death of the Honorable Raila Odinga. He was my friend, and I held him in highest esteem. Raila is one of the giants of Kenyan history, who worked tirelessly throughout his life for the advancement of his country, always toward greater freedom, starting with the push for multi-party democracy.
I was privileged to work closely with him when I was the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya during 2006-11. I came to appreciate his selfless commitment to peace and to the principles of democracy.
The post-election crisis of 2007-8 gravely tested the Kenyan people and their leaders.
Raila’s leadership was crucial in ensuring that the crisis was resolved quickly and in a way which promoted fundamental reform.
Raila and 2007 Post-election crisis
We met in the living room of my residence on a tense morning and talked about the final shape of the deal to achieve a national unity government.
I assured him that the United States would provide strong support for the new government. “Ok,” he told me, “I’ll do it.”
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Had he been less flexible the crisis would have been protracted, but he instead demonstrated a commitment to statesmanlike compromise for the good of all the people.
After he became Prime Minister, I accompanied him on an official visit to the United States, where we worked to mobilize support for the new government, and for lasting reform.
During that he spoke eloquently about his hope for the future of his country, and about what was needed to ensure its success.
The path was never easy for Raila, but he always walked it with dignity, courage, and commitment to principle.
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He suffered, as he wrote in his autobiography The Flame of Freedom, what he could only describe as “a veritable hell on earth” when he was imprisoned under former President Moi. He had paid a steep price for his convictions but remained faithful to them.
I join his family and the Kenyan people in mourning his passing and honoring the profoundly important legacy he left for his country.”
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