First born of Raila Odinga died on January 4. PHOTO | BD GRAPHIC
What you need to know:
Although he had not declared his political ambitions, Fidel was tipped to succeed his father as his siblings remained apolitical.
Fidel Odinga’s death set social media ablaze as outpouring of grief by those who knew him and friends of his father mourned the sudden demise of the eldest son of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Fidel was more known in the social scene than in business, where he also had a name. His love for big cars was insatiable and equally matched the faith he had in his close friends and business associates.
Although he had not declared his political ambitions, Fidel was tipped to succeed his father as his siblings remained apolitical.
Had he lived longer, he would have followed a political path shaped by his grandfather, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the doyen of opposition politics in Kenya.
While there had been reports that his father had been grooming him for the difficult terrain of the country’s politics, there is little evidence to show that Mr Odinga was actually preparing him for that position, perhaps allowing him to mature with age both in the world of politics and business.
Business acumen
In business, Fidel was known to have interests in the petroleum and real estate sectors, perhaps taking advantage of his family’s connections in the energy sector.
But his business acumen was eclipsed by partying and love for media attention which perhaps revealed his weaker side and love for expensive drinks.
Ahead of the 2007 elections, Fidel had a high profile marriage to Ms Veronica Wanjiru Ng’ang’a — a traditional wedding ceremony attended by top politicians.
The marriage was significant since Fidel was wedding a Kikuyu at a time when perceived tribal feud between Luos and Kikuyus had reached a crescendo ahead of the polls. But Fidel navigated the political waters well in pursuit of love. It ended in a divorce and Fidel later married Eritrean Getachew Bekele; they had a son.
Born in 1973, the late Fidel attended Consolata Primary in Westlands before moving to Mbeji Academy in Siaya for his secondary school education from 1989 to 1992. Mbeji School belonged to the late Thomas Odhiambo, who founded the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.
He proceeded to India for his post-secondary education where he stayed for one year before transferring to the US, where he completed his studies and continued living and working.
He returned home just before the 2002 elections, the year the Opposition alliance Narc, of which his father was a key member, formed the government after defeating the then ruling party Kanu.
It was expected that Fidel would vie for the Kibera parliamentary seat in the last General Election of 2013, a rumour which he denied although he continued to slowly build a constituency around the youth.
Fidel’s life had its own share of controversies. Last September, his Range Rover that was being driven by another person allegedly hit and killed a cyclist in Nairobi. The case is still in court.
A philanthropist
Fidel, 41, was found dead in his bed on the Sunday morning of January 4 by his wife, Lwam Getachew Bekele.
Friends and associates knew Fidel as a philanthropist who was a big spender. He loved football and had a leadership role in a rugby club in Kisumu. He also loved expensive whiskey. Close friends say he would switch from one brand to another.
On Tuesday, friends of Fidel Castro Odinga gathered at Cedars Restaurant in Nairobi to celebrate his life and raise funds for the Fidel Odinga Trust. The guest list included politicians, businessmen, close relatives and friends.
Yesterday, President Uhuru Kenyatta, deputy William Ruto, his parents and top politicians and friends bid him farewell at a funeral service at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi He will be buried tomorrow at his rural home in Bondo.
