Fidel Odinga: A look into his towering lifestyle

Nairobi- 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.

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.

The background
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.

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.

On Friday, 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 was buried yesterday at his rural home in Bondo.

This article was first published in the Business Daily

Who was Fidel Castro Odinga?

His father named him after the legendary Cuban revolutionary, Castro. But when Fidel came into this world in 1973, the baby who would grow into a towering hunk would never have guessed the demands that come with being an Odinga.

Scion of a family that has defined protest and Opposition politics since the 1950s, he seems to have lived in the shadows of his illustrious forbearers; grandson of a Vice President, son of a Prime Minister; Ida’s boy, the strong matriarch who held the family together throughout most of the family’s troubled history.

But just who was Fidel? The answer to that question depends on whom you ask. To kin, he was a pillar, the glue that held the family together, a sweet boy who couldn’t hurt a fly. To friends, he was a consummate businessman, loyal, the soul of the party.

To the downtrodden, he was a kind man, a philanthropist who reached into his wallet and ‘sorted’ you without asking too many questions, and without caring from which tribe you hailed.
Still, his adult life was dodged by whispers that he partied too hard, often late into the night; that he lived recklessly, pushed his weight around; that he was simply daddy’s boy.

But one thing that cannot be denied is that Fidel was a politician in the making – in the manner he connected with the masses, made friends across the political divide, roused up the crowds in Kisumu and Kibera.

That he would have grown into a politician of note is not in doubt. It is simply the weight you bear when you are an Odinga.

Growing up with Fidel, his cousin Bill Yaya says he often acted like a cop and could stand at attention when a senior person entered a room where they were.
“With his height and physical stature, Fidel was like a bouncer to us. But at some point he took it way too far, especially whenever he was in the presence of his dad. If you look keenly, Fidel liked standing behind his father almost like a bodyguard,” Bill explains.
A close friend who sought anonymity described Fidel’s growing concern over his father’s well-being, saying deep down his heart, Raila’s first born was a troubled man.

“At some point, he just wanted to be next to his father to provide extra security. I remember at one time when we were headed to Kasarani, Fidel jumped off his car and started running alongside his father’s security and escort,” narrated the source.
Such concerns were supported by Fidel’s youngest sister Winnie Odinga, who says his brother did not enjoy father-to-son relationship with the dad. He treated Raila like his boss.

“They were just very serious and he admired him so much that he could not even relax around him. He would always feel that maybe he was not doing enough. He became very protective of our father and that is why he could be seen at his political rallies because he never even trusted his security enough,” said Winnie, adding that Fidel wanted to help his father achieve every single dream but at times he felt that maybe the people around him were not doing enough to help.

Agencies