Kenya’s opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has died at the age of 80 while on a medical trip to India.
His sudden death marks the end of an era in East African politics.
According to Indian police, Odinga collapsed while walking with his sister, daughter, and personal doctor.
Security officers from both India and Kenya were present during the incident.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A spokesman for the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Kerala confirmed the tragic news.
He said Odinga experienced breathing difficulties before collapsing.
“He was given CPR and showed brief signs of recovery, but his condition worsened, and doctors couldn’t save him,” the spokesman said.
Odinga’s political team also confirmed his death but said an official announcement would be made by the party later.
Born on January 7, 1945, Raila Odinga was one of Africa’s most enduring political figures.
He spent decades fighting for democracy and good governance, often at great personal risk.
During the autocratic rule of former President Daniel arap Moi, Odinga spent several years in prison and exile.
He entered parliament in 1992 and became a central figure in Kenyan politics.
Despite running for president five times in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 he never won, often claiming electoral fraud.
Yet, he remained the face of Kenya’s opposition and a strong voice for reform.
In 2008, Odinga became Kenya’s Prime Minister under a coalition government formed to end the post-election violence that claimed hundreds of lives.
Tributes have poured in from across Africa. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said, “Kenya has lost one of its most formidable leaders who shaped the country’s democratic path. Africa has lost a great voice for peace and development.”
Former Kenyan Chief Justice and current presidential candidate, David Maraga, also expressed shock, calling Odinga “a patriot, pan-Africanist, and democrat who dedicated his life to justice and freedom.”
Odinga’s death leaves a major void in Kenya’s political landscape.
His unmatched influence among grassroots supporters, especially from his Luo ethnic base, may be difficult for any successor to replicate.
As Kenya approaches its 2027 elections, questions now loom over who will lead the opposition and carry forward Odinga’s vision for a united and democratic nation.