Kenya has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, at the age of 80.
A statement from his office confirmed on Wednesday that Odinga died of cardiac arrest while receiving treatment in Kochi, southern India. Medical personnel reportedly made efforts to revive him, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being admitted to the hospital.
Fondly called “Baba” by his supporters, Odinga was a towering figure in Kenyan politics and a central force in the nation’s long struggle for democracy and reform.
Spanning over four decades, his political career was defined by resilience, activism, and a steadfast commitment to justice and transparency. Although he ran for president five times without victory, Odinga remained one of Kenya’s most respected political icons.
He played a crucial role in the country’s transition to multiparty democracy in the early 1990s and was instrumental in championing the 2010 constitution, which restructured Kenya’s political system.
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As leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Odinga consistently held successive administrations to account — from the eras of Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki to Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.
Beyond Kenya’s borders, Odinga also served as the African Union’s High Representative for Infrastructure Development, working to promote regional integration and economic growth across the continent.
Tributes from African leaders and global figures have described him as a patriot, reformist, and the embodiment of the people’s struggle for justice and equity.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Odinga, and their children.