Raila Odinga, Kenya's former Prime Minister and a towering figure in the country's opposition movement, has died at the age of 80. Odinga suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while undergoing medical treatment at an Ayurvedic hospital in Koothattukulam, near Kochi in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning during what was described as a routine morning walk, according to reports from local Kenyan media.
Odinga, who had been receiving specialized care in India for several weeks amid earlier health rumors, was rushed to the facility but could not be revived despite immediate medical intervention."Raila Odinga passed away this morning after a sudden cardiac failure," confirmed sources close to the family, as relayed by Nairobi-based outlets.
His death marks the end of an era for Kenyan politics, where Odinga—affectionately known as "Baba" or "Agwambo" to his supporters—served as a relentless advocate for democracy, human rights, and constitutional reforms.
Born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Kenya, Odinga rose to prominence as a student activist in the 1960s, enduring detention without trial under President Jomo Kenyatta's regime.
He later became a key architect of Kenya's multiparty democracy in the 1990s, co-founding the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD) alongside his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya's first vice president.
Odinga's political journey included multiple bids for the presidency—in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022—often marked by fierce contests and allegations of electoral irregularities. His most notable role came in 2008, when he was appointed Prime Minister in a power-sharing grand coalition government following post-election violence that claimed over 1,000 lives.
His passing comes at a pivotal moment, with ongoing debates over governance and the 2027 elections on the horizon. This story is developing, and further details will be provided as they emerge.
