A little-known chapter in Kenya’s political history unfolded on June 5, 1979, when veteran nationalist and former Vice-President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was compelled to sit a Kiswahili proficiency examination in Nairobi before being allowed to contest for the Bondo parliamentary seat. The unusual requirement came as Odinga sought a political comeback after years on the
Kenya’s political history is marked by powerful deputy presidents and vice-presidents who held national influence but never ascended to the presidency. While some deputies used the office as a springboard to higher power, several notable figures, named for statesmanship, policy roles and regional influence, concluded long public careers short of the top job. The deputy