By the time Fidel Castro Makarios Odhiambo Odinga breathed his last, not many knew much about him apart from him being the son of Opposition politician and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
At his death, it is emerging that Fidel was more of a politician than a businessman. Of all Raila’s children, he was the one closest to his political activities. He sustained networks for his father and raised funds severally to support party activities.
Some pundits argue Fidel was to Raila what Raila was to (his father) Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. But aides agree partially.
“Fidel was the quiet underground political operative who created and sustained the Kibera and Langata networks. He knew the point persons by name and had an elephant memory. He was cautious not to throw himself so much in the limelight. While Raila networked publicly with people, Fidel would work with networks and share information with his dad not publicly,” says Dennis Onyango, Raila’s spokesman.
Backroom operative
“Unlike his father, an abrasive and outspoken politician, Fidel was a backroom operative with a huge network of friends. When his father was busy with national politics, he often filled in the gaps meeting up people linking groups to support Raila’s politics,” says Mr Onyango.Fidel was not involved in ODM party squabbles and wrangling for nominations despite being a powerful pillar in his dad’s backroom operations.