- Former prime minister Raila Odinga died on Wednesday, October 15, in India after a short illness
- Raila was involved in politics for more than four decades and gradually built his wealth, owning properties in Nairobi and other cities
- The ODM party leader revealed that his wealth was estimated at more than KSh 2 billion, having started from a normal situation
Former prime minister Raila Odinga died on Wednesday, October 15, at the age of 80.
Source: Facebook
The veteran politician, who led the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for two decades, died at Devamatha Hospital in Kerala, southern India.
Raila had traveled to seek medical treatment and was being followed by his sister Ruth Odingahis daughter Winnie, and his bodyguard Maurice Ogeto.
Condolences have shone on his business wealth which was huge but modestly seen, estimated at over KSh 2 billion.
Raila revealed that he amassed his wealth through shares in companies and properties in several places.
“They say Raila Odinga is very rich… very rich, which is not true. I am worth about KSh 2 billion,” Raila told them NTV Kenya.
What business and property did Raila own?
1. Riat House
Pictures of Raila’s multi-million shilling mansion in Riat Hills, Kisumu county, surfaced in 2016.
The house has a gymnasium, meeting rooms, a large helipad, 10 bedrooms, a Jacuzzi, and modern kitchens.
Unofficially, the house on top of the hill was known as Raila’s government house.
It appeared that the ODM leader had created a structure whose prestige was equal to that of the Kenyan House, which he had unsuccessfully attempted to inhabit five times.
Source: Facebook
2. Opoda Farm
For Raila, Opoda Farm was more than a residence.
Like many prominent Kenyans who had many residences in the city and in their homes, the politician stayed in the farm during the day when he wanted peace, away from the noise of the city.
Raila used it to receive high profile guests and political officials, relax his energy, and spend quality time with his family.
From time to time, the former prime minister met residents who were collecting water from a large field, which is comparable to a public road.
The farm has cattle, sheep, and goats. Raila used it to welcome VIP visitors and political delegations, renew his energies, and spend quality time with his family.
Source: Twitter
3. Houses of Karen, Runda and Mombasa
Raila also had big palaces in Karen, Runda and Mombasa.
The ODM leader revealed that his house in Karen was worth KSh 300 million.
Raila held a welcome ceremony for the new Mombasa palace in 2018.
The house in Nyali is painted Egyptian blue and white as directed by the county government.
Source: Twitter
4. Helicopters and cars
Raila was among the Kenyan politicians who had a helicopter to easily travel across the country.
He also had a fleet of cars worth millions, including Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs.
5. East Africa Specter Company
The company was founded in 1971 in Kenya Industrial Estates, according to its website.
The original name of the company, Standard Processing Equipment Construction, involved in the manufacture of steel windows and doors among other metal products, gave the company the name Spectre.
The company deals in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and has a cylinder manufacturing plant.
According to Raila, he started the business in a normal situation when he was a lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
Standard Processing Equipment was established after an Indian technician asked Raila to buy the equipment that the Indians in Uganda left behind after being removed by the brutal government of Idi Amin.
Then, he had to find a way to get the money to buy the equipment and start his company.
As a lecturer, his monthly salary was KSh 2,000, while the necessary equipment cost KSh 12,000 per month.
Raila revealed that to get the money, he had to sell his German car to buy the equipment.
6. Be Energy
Raila invested in the energy sector through Be Energy, with his family among the shareholders controlling a 35% stake.
The Odinga family owns Be Energy through the Pan African Petroleum Company, where Raila Junior and Oburu Odinga are directors.
Shareholders of the Pan African Petroleum Company include Rosemary Odinga (50,000 shares), Winnie Odinga (25,000), Elija Oburu (125,000), Raila Junior (25,000), Wenwa Akinyi Oranga (25,000), and Kango Enterprises (250,000).
Kango Enterprises is owned by Raila and his wife, Ida, who each own 100 shares.
About Raila’s death
Raila died in India after a short illness.
A cardiologist revealed that he died after suffering a heart attack.
Kenyans, local and international leaders, mourned him as a national hero.
How Raila Jnr mourned his father
In other news, Raila Jnr broke his silence following the death of his father.
He posted a touching video on his X account that collected memorable moments from his father’s life, including political campaigns, family birthdays, an emotional meeting with his late father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and precious moments with his wife, Ida.
The video was accompanied by the emotional voice of Raila himself singing the Kiswahili translation of his favorite song, Jamaica Farewell.
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