The former Prime Minister of Kenya and long-serving opposition leader, Raila Amolo Odinga, has passed away at the age of 80 while receiving treatment at an Ayurvedic eye hospital and research centre in Kerala, India.
According to reports from multiple international outlets, including AP News, The Guardian, and Reuters, Odinga collapsed early on Wednesday morning while on a morning walk near the facility. He was rushed to Devamatha Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. The cause of death has been reported as cardiac arrest.
The announcement of his death has sent shockwaves across Kenya and the wider African continent, where Odinga was revered as one of the most influential voices for democracy, reform, and social justice.
🇰🇪 A Life Dedicated to Democracy and Reform
Raila Odinga, affectionately known by many Kenyans as “Baba” (Father), was born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Western Kenya. He was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President and a pioneer of the country’s independence struggle.
Odinga’s political career spanned over four decades. A mechanical engineer by training, he spent much of his life in the political trenches — detained, exiled, and celebrated for his unrelenting fight for justice and democracy.
He played a central role in Kenya’s transition to multiparty democracy in the early 1990s, often at great personal cost. His imprisonment during the one-party rule of President Daniel arap Moi cemented his status as a symbol of resistance.
Odinga went on to serve as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, in a power-sharing government formed after Kenya’s disputed 2007 elections that left more than 1,000 people dead. The coalition government, brokered by international mediators including Kofi Annan, became a turning point in Kenya’s political history.
A Polarizing but Visionary Leader
Over his long career, Odinga vied for the presidency five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — coming close on multiple occasions but never ascending to the top seat.
Despite repeated electoral setbacks, his ability to inspire mass movements and mobilize millions earned him respect across political divides. Many viewed him as the “People’s President”, a title he adopted after the 2017 election, when he controversially took a symbolic oath of office in protest against what he called “stolen elections.”
Odinga’s alliance-building efforts reshaped Kenya’s political landscape. His cooperation with former rival Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2018 “Handshake” was hailed as a moment of unity, while his final political bid in 2022 under the Azimio la Umoja Coalition marked the culmination of his lifelong pursuit of reform.
Condolences from Across the Globe
Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed the death in an official statement, calling Odinga “a towering figure of our time and a true patriot.” The President announced seven days of national mourning, with flags to fly at half-mast across Kenya and all embassies abroad.
“Kenya has lost one of its greatest sons. His contribution to democracy and justice will forever remain etched in our history,”
said President Ruto in his televised address.
Messages of condolence poured in from leaders across Africa and beyond, including Cyril Ramaphosa, Hakainde Hichilema, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and António Guterres.
The African Union described Odinga as “a visionary leader whose legacy will continue to guide Africa’s democratic aspirations.”
🏛️ A Continent in Mourning
Odinga’s death leaves a significant void in African politics. Having served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, he championed continental connectivity, economic integration, and youth empowerment.
He was also a vocal advocate for Pan-Africanism, often emphasizing that Africa’s development could only be achieved through unity, peace, and institutional reform.
In India, local officials in Kerala confirmed that arrangements are being made to repatriate Odinga’s remains to Nairobi, where a state funeral will be held. Thousands of mourners are expected to attend what will likely be one of the largest memorials in Kenya’s modern history.
Legacy of Courage and Hope
Raila Odinga’s story is one of resilience, courage, and an unwavering belief in the power of the people. From political imprisonment to international acclaim, his journey embodied the spirit of Kenya’s struggle for justice and equality.
For many Kenyans, Odinga will be remembered not just as a politician but as a movement, a voice that echoed the hopes of millions who longed for a fairer and freer nation.
