Kenyan Opposition Leader Raila Odinga Dies In India

Kenyan opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has died at the age of 80 while receiving medical care in India, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Indian police said Odinga collapsed suddenly while walking with his sister, daughter, and personal doctor during a health visit in Kerala.

“An Indian police security officer and a Kenyan security officer were also with them at the time. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital but was declared dead,” a police source told AFP.

A spokesman for the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre, where Odinga had been undergoing treatment, confirmed the tragic incident.

“He experienced some breathing difficulties and collapsed. He was provided CPR on the spot, and having seen some sign of recovery, he was rushed to the nearest modern hospital. Despite repeated efforts by the medics, his condition deteriorated and the doctors were unable to save him,” the hospital spokesman said.

A member of Odinga’s political team also confirmed his death to AFP, noting that an official announcement would be made later by his party.

Born on January 7, 1945, Raila Odinga spent much of his early political life behind bars or in exile during the repressive regime of President Daniel Arab Moi. A tireless advocate for democracy, Odinga emerged as a central figure in Kenya’s transition to multi-party politics in the 1990s.

The son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, Raila became both a symbol of resistance and reform. Despite running unsuccessfully for president five times— in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, he remained a formidable political force, commanding deep loyalty, especially among the Luo community in western Kenya.

Often described as an anti-establishment firebrand, Odinga consistently challenged the political elite, alleging electoral malpractice in four of his presidential bids. His charisma, defiance, and populist energy made him one of Africa’s most recognizable opposition figures.

His death leaves a major void in Kenyan politics, with many observers warning that his absence could reshape the country’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reactions poured in swiftly from across Kenya and the continent.

Former Chief Justice and presidential candidate David Maraga expressed deep sorrow, describing Odinga as a statesman of continental stature.

“Kenya has lost one of its most formidable leaders who shaped the trajectory of our beloved country,” Maraga said on X (formerly Twitter). “Africa has lost a leading voice in pushing for peace, security, and development. The world has lost a great leader.”

From Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also paid tribute, posting, “On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I extend my sincere condolences on the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. May he Rest In Peace.”

For over four decades, Raila Odinga was at the center of Kenya’s turbulent political history, from advocating for constitutional reform to leading massive pro-democracy movements and forming broad-based coalitions that reshaped the nation’s political culture.

By Nafisat Abdulrahman

Kenyan opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has died at the age of 80 while receiving medical care in India, authorities confirmed on Wednesday.

Indian police said Odinga collapsed suddenly while walking with his sister, daughter, and personal doctor during a health visit in Kerala.

“An Indian police security officer and a Kenyan security officer were also with them at the time. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital but was declared dead,” a police source told AFP.

A spokesman for the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre, where Odinga had been undergoing treatment, confirmed the tragic incident.

“He experienced some breathing difficulties and collapsed. He was provided CPR on the spot, and having seen some sign of recovery, he was rushed to the nearest modern hospital. Despite repeated efforts by the medics, his condition deteriorated and the doctors were unable to save him,” the hospital spokesman said.

A member of Odinga’s political team also confirmed his death to AFP, noting that an official announcement would be made later by his party.

Born on January 7, 1945, Raila Odinga spent much of his early political life behind bars or in exile during the repressive regime of President Daniel Arab Moi. A tireless advocate for democracy, Odinga emerged as a central figure in Kenya’s transition to multi-party politics in the 1990s.

The son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, Raila became both a symbol of resistance and reform. Despite running unsuccessfully for president five times— in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022, he remained a formidable political force, commanding deep loyalty, especially among the Luo community in western Kenya.

Often described as an anti-establishment firebrand, Odinga consistently challenged the political elite, alleging electoral malpractice in four of his presidential bids. His charisma, defiance, and populist energy made him one of Africa’s most recognizable opposition figures.

His death leaves a major void in Kenyan politics, with many observers warning that his absence could reshape the country’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reactions poured in swiftly from across Kenya and the continent.

Former Chief Justice and presidential candidate David Maraga expressed deep sorrow, describing Odinga as a statesman of continental stature.

“Kenya has lost one of its most formidable leaders who shaped the trajectory of our beloved country,” Maraga said on X (formerly Twitter). “Africa has lost a leading voice in pushing for peace, security, and development. The world has lost a great leader.”

From Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also paid tribute, posting, “On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I extend my sincere condolences on the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. May he Rest In Peace.”

For over four decades, Raila Odinga was at the center of Kenya’s turbulent political history, from advocating for constitutional reform to leading massive pro-democracy movements and forming broad-based coalitions that reshaped the nation’s political culture.