Raila Odinga, Kenya’s towering opposition leader and enduring symbol of democratic struggle, has died at the age of 80 while in India for medical treatment. He collapsed during a morning walk in Kochi, in the southern state of Kerala, and was later pronounced dead from a cardiac arrest, according to hospital and local security sources.
His passing has unleashed a wave of grief across Kenya, where he was revered as “Baba” — father — by millions. In a solemn address to the nation, President William Ruto described Odinga as a “once-in-a-generation leader,” declaring seven days of national mourning and ordering a state funeral in his honor.
Odinga’s life was inextricably tied to Kenya’s democratic journey. Born in 1945 into a prominent political family — his father Jaramogi Oginga Odinga was the country’s first vice president — he rose to prominence fighting the one-party rule under President Daniel arap Moi. At various times he endured detention, exile, and fierce political battles, yet remained a consistent advocate for multiparty governance and constitutional reform.
He stood as a presidential candidate five times, often narrowly challenged, and led mass protests after elections that he claimed were unfair. In 2007, after a disputed vote that triggered widespread violence, he entered a power-sharing government and became prime minister under a coalition government designed to restore stability.
Even in his later years Odinga remained a key political figure. Earlier in 2025, he narrowly lost the bid to lead the African Union Commission, and in Kenyan politics he had struck a pact with President Ruto to bring his Orange Democratic Movement party into government roles.
Tributes poured in from across Africa and beyond. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta hailed him as “a father to the nation,” while regional leaders praised his tireless commitment to good governance and unity. The African Union Commission chair described him as a “steadfast champion of democracy” whose decades of work left an indelible mark on Kenya and the continent.
With his death, Kenya faces a pivotal moment in opposition politics. Odinga’s absence leaves a large void — politically, morally, and emotionally. National institutions now must steer the mourning and transitional process: confirming arrangements for lying in state, funeral ceremonies and the ultimate resting place. His legacy will be debated in the years to come as a heroic democrat or a divisive political force, he will be remembered as one of Kenya’s most consequential leaders.
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