Timeline of Trials: Raila Odinga’s Fight for Democracy

Raila Odinga’s path to democracy was marked by years of imprisonment and resilience.

Following the failed August 1, 1982 coup, he was placed under house arrest by President Daniel Arap Moi for seven months, then detained without trial on treason charges for nearly six years.

Released on February 6, 1988, he was re-arrested that September for his pro-democracy activism and freed in June 1989.

On July 5, 1990, Raila was detained again with Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, gaining freedom on June 21, 1991.

His struggle for reform later saw him serve as Kenya’s Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013.