'''Raila Odinga''' (born 1945) is the socialist [[Prime Minister]] of [[Kenya]] and a cousin of [[US]][[President-elect]] [[Barack Obama]]<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7176683.stm</ref>. He received his higher education at [[Magdeburg University]] in [[Communist]] [[East Germany]]; his first son is named after [[Fidel Castro]]<ref>http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=2c8_1199824924</ref>. In 2007 Odinga was the candidate for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the Kenyan presidential election. The disputed outcome of that election, which opposition activists claim was rigged to produce a victory for incumbent president [[Mwai Kibaki]], led to widespread civil unrest in which arond 1,500 people died and several hundred thousands fled their homes. In a power-sharing deal aimed at restoring stability and international support, Kibaki agreed to make Odinga prime minister. Odinga achieved power with the support of the National Muslim Leaders Forum of Kenya. As part of the deal, Odinga has agreed to introduce [[Shariah Law] to Kenya. Odinga has also received outspoken support in his campaigns from [[Barack Obama]], who was described by Kenyan government officials as Odinga's "stooge" during a 2006 visit.
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'''Raila Odinga''' (born 1945) is the socialist [[Prime Minister]] of [[Kenya]] and a cousin of [[US]][[President-elect]] [[Barack Obama]]<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7176683.stm</ref>. He received his higher education at [[Magdeburg University]] in [[Communist]] [[East Germany]]; his first son is named after [[Fidel Castro]]<ref>http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=2c8_1199824924</ref>. In 2007 Odinga was the candidate for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in the Kenyan presidential election. The disputed outcome of that election, which opposition activists claim was rigged to produce a victory for incumbent president [[Mwai Kibaki]], led to widespread civil unrest in which arond 1,500 people died and several hundred thousands fled their homes. In a power-sharing deal aimed at restoring stability and international support, Kibaki agreed to make Odinga prime minister.
==Cultural and Religious Background==
==Cultural and Religious Background==
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Like his cousin, Odinga is a member of the Luo people, many of whom are [[muslim]]s. Odinga himself claims to be an [[Anglican]]
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Like his cousin, Odinga is a member of the Luo people, many of whom are [[Muslim]]s. Odinga himself claims to be an [[Anglican]]. Odinga achieved power with the support of the National Muslim Leaders Forum of Kenya. As part of the deal, Odinga has agreed to introduce [[Shariah Law]] to Kenya. Odinga has also received outspoken support in his campaigns from [[Barack Obama]], who was described by Kenyan government officials as Odinga's "stooge" during a 2006 visit.