Global Think Tank Launches 10-Week Academic Series to Institutionalize Raila Odinga’s Reformist Legacy

The Global Centre for Policy and Strategy analyzes Raila Odinga’s reformist legacy, focusing on constitutionalism, devolution, and the AU’s Agenda 2063.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 3:59 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Star Kenya.

Intellectual Scrutiny of a Reformist Blueprint

An extensive academic journey is currently underway to formally document and institutionalize the political legacy of the former opposition leader, Raila Odinga. Orchestrated by the Global Centre for Policy and Strategy, a 10 week webinar series has convened scholars and former diplomats to dissect Odinga’s influence on democratic reform. According to Dr. Ken Asembo, the objective is to move beyond personality based narratives and instead anchor his reformist politics within durable frameworks that can serve as a guide for future African governance.

The Framework of Accommodation and Compromise

During the launch of the series, Brigadier (Rtd) Wilson Boinett highlighted Odinga’s mastery of the "Accommodation, Compromise, and Bargains" framework. This political logic is credited with allowing Kenya to navigate various constitutional crises without descending into permanent instability. However, according to papers presented by Professor Fred Jonyo and Philip Kaudo, this reliance on elite political reconciliation, or handshakes, presents a paradox. While these bargains stabilized the state, they also raised significant questions regarding elite patronage and the delay of deep seated institutional reforms.

Devolution and the Reproduction of Centralized Weaknesses

A primary focus of the scholarly sessions has been devolution, considered one of Odinga’s most significant structural achievements. Dr. Samuel Njagi’s research traced how the establishment of 47 county governments reshaped the Kenyan governance landscape by demand of the former ODM leader. Yet, the analysis revealed a sobering reality where the weaknesses of centralized authority, such as elite capture and fiscal dependency, are being reproduced at the local level. According to discussants, decentralization has not automatically resulted in good governance and has occasionally exacerbated ethnic competition.