Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is dead

Kenya’s former Prime Minister and veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has died at the age of 80.

Family sources confirmed that Odinga passed away on Wednesday while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in India.

According to Indian police, he was walking with his family and personal doctor when he suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

For weeks, there had been speculation about his health, though his family and political allies had repeatedly dismissed reports that he was critically ill. Following news of his death, tributes have poured in from across Africa, including a message of condolence from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

A towering figure in Kenyan politics, Odinga was known for his fiery spirit and unshakable belief in democracy.

He contested the presidency five times but never won, often alleging that the polls were rigged against him. In 2017, Kenya’s Supreme Court agreed with his claims of electoral irregularities and annulled the election.

The 2007 disputed election, where he claimed victory was stolen by then-President Mwai Kibaki, sparked widespread violence that left 1,200 people dead and displaced over half a million.

The crisis ended only after a peace deal brokered by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, which saw Odinga appointed Prime Minister in a unity government.

Throughout his career, Odinga earned deep respect for his resilience and commitment to public service. To his millions of followers, he was “Baba” (Father), “Agwambo” (Act of God), and “Tinga” (Tractor) nicknames that reflected his strength and enduring popularity, especially in western Kenya, where he hailed from.

Even in defeat, Odinga remained a unifying voice. After losing the 2022 presidential election, he later joined hands with President William Ruto in what was described as a “broad-based government” aimed at promoting national unity.