Kenya mourns as former Prime minister, Raila Odinga passes away at 80

Femi Fabunmi

Kenya is mourning the death of Raila Odinga, the country’s long-serving opposition leader and former Prime Minister, who has passed away at the age of 80.

A senior source from his office confirmed the news to Reuters on Wednesday, though no additional details were immediately released.

Reports from Mathrubhumi, an Indian newspaper, said Odinga had been undergoing medical treatment in Kochi, a city in southern India, when he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Doctors reportedly made efforts to resuscitate him, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to the hospital.

Odinga was one of the most influential and enduring political figures in Kenya’s history.

Known for his fiery speeches and unwavering fight for democracy, he devoted more than four decades of his life to public service and political reform.

He served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, following a power-sharing agreement that ended months of post-election violence.

A son of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila carved his own path in politics, leading major reform movements and challenging every sitting government since the late 1980s.

Though he ran for president five times, he never won the top seat  yet remained one of Africa’s most respected statesmen for his resilience, courage, and commitment to democratic values.

Two of his presidential campaigns  in 2007 and 2017  ended in deep controversy and bloodshed.

The 2007 post-election crisis was particularly tragic, leaving over 1,300 people dead and displacing hundreds of thousands. Despite the turmoil, Odinga later played a key role in negotiating peace and pushing for national reconciliation.

Throughout his political life, Odinga fought for justice, electoral reform, and inclusion. He was instrumental in ushering in multiparty democracy in 1991, breaking the one-party rule that had gripped Kenya for years.

He also championed the 2010 constitution, which introduced greater devolution of power and strengthened citizens’ rights.

Even in his later years, Odinga remained active in politics, continuing to challenge policies he saw as unjust and calling for transparency in government.

His supporters viewed him as a symbol of endurance, while his critics acknowledged his unmatched influence in shaping Kenya’s political direction.

Odinga’s passing marks the end of an era for Kenya and the African continent. Tributes have begun pouring in from leaders across Africa, describing him as a man who sacrificed personal ambition for the greater good of his country.

Funeral arrangements and official statements from his family are expected to be announced in the coming days.