Raila Amolo Odinga, Kenya’s veteran opposition leader and former Prime Minister, died on October 15, 2025, at the age of 80 due to cardiac arrest.
He suffered the medical emergency around 8 a.m. local time during a morning walk at the Sreedhareeyam Ayurvedic Eye Hospital and Research Centre in Koothattukulam, Kerala, India, where he had been receiving treatment for the past five days.He was rushed to the nearby Devamatha Hospital, where his death was confirmed at 9:52 a.m.
Odinga had a personal connection to the facility, as his late daughter, Rosemary Odinga, had undergone treatment there in 2017 after losing her sight due to optic nerve damage.
Official Response in KenyaKenyan President William Ruto announced a seven-day period of national mourning starting immediately, with flags flying at half-mast across the country.Odinga will receive a full state funeral with military honors, and coordination is underway between Kenya and India for the repatriation of his body.
In line with the directive, all football fixtures have been suspended nationwide by the Football Kenya Federation.
Tributes have poured in, with Ruto describing Odinga as “the father of our democracy” and a “giant” whose legacy shaped Kenya’s history.
The African Union Commission also hailed him as a “towering figure” and champion of democracy.Social media reactions in Kenya reflect a mix of grief, reflection on his legacy, and speculation about political succession, with many expressing deep sadness over the loss of a key figure in the nation’s multiparty democracy movement.
His Life aand Career
Born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Kisumu District, to independence hero Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Mary Juma Odinga, Raila Odinga was a defining force in Kenyan politics for over four decades.
He served as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013 in a power-sharing government following post-election violence.
Odinga ran for president five times (1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2022), often alleging electoral irregularities, and was a key architect of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution.
Imprisoned multiple times under autocratic regimes, he fought for multiparty democracy and human rights.
He was married to Ida Odinga and had four children: Fidel (deceased in 2015), Rosemary, Raila Jr., and Winnie. At the time of his death, Odinga was serving as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa.His passing marks the end of an era in Kenyan and African politics, with widespread mourning underscoring his enduring impact.
Raila Amolo Odinga’s political career, spanning over four decades, was marked by significant milestones that shaped Kenya’s democratic landscape. Below are the key moments:
1982: Arrest and Detention for Coup Attempt
Odinga was arrested for his alleged involvement in the failed 1982 coup attempt against President Daniel arap Moi’s regime. He spent six years in detention without trial, marking the beginning of his reputation as a fierce opponent of autocratic rule.
1990s: Championing Multiparty Democracy
Odinga played a pivotal role in advocating for multiparty democracy in Kenya during the single-party era under Moi. His activism, including forming the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), pressured the government to amend the Constitution in 1991, allowing multiparty elections.
1992: First Parliamentary Election
Odinga won the Lang’ata Constituency parliamentary seat in 1992 under FORD-Kenya, following the death of his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. This marked his formal entry into electoral politics.
1997: First Presidential Run
Odinga ran for president under the National Development Party (NDP), finishing third. This was the first of his five presidential bids, establishing him as a major opposition figure.
2001-2002: Joining Moi’s Government and KANU Exit
In a surprising move, Odinga merged his NDP with Moi’s ruling KANU party in 2001 and served as Energy Minister. However, he left KANU in 2002 after Moi endorsed Uhuru Kenyatta as his successor, joining the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and aligning with the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) to back Mwai Kibaki’s presidential bid.
2005: Constitutional Referendum Campaign
Odinga led the “No” campaign against a proposed constitution backed by President Kibaki, which was rejected in a 2005 referendum. His leadership in this campaign solidified his influence as an opposition leader.
2007: Presidential Election and Post-Election Violence
Odinga ran for president under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), narrowly losing to Kibaki in a disputed election. The resulting violence killed over 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands. Odinga’s claims of electoral fraud led to international mediation.
2008-2013: Prime Minister in Power-Sharing Government
Following the 2007 post-election crisis, Odinga negotiated a power-sharing deal mediated by Kofi Annan, becoming Kenya’s Prime Minister in a Grand Coalition Government with Kibaki as President. This role, created under the 2008 National Accord, was a historic moment in Kenyan politics.
2010: Championing the New Constitution
Odinga was a key architect of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which introduced devolution, a bicameral parliament, and stronger checks on executive power. His advocacy helped secure its passage in a national referendum.
2013 and 2017: Presidential Election Disputes
Odinga ran for president in 2013 and 2017, losing to Uhuru Kenyatta in both elections. He challenged the results in court, alleging fraud. In 2017, the Supreme Court nullified the presidential election due to irregularities, a historic ruling, though Odinga boycotted the rerun, citing lack of electoral reforms.
2018: Handshake with Uhuru Kenyatta
In a landmark reconciliation, Odinga and President Kenyatta announced a truce in March 2018, known as the “Handshake.” This led to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), aimed at promoting national unity and constitutional reforms, though some BBI proposals were later struck down by courts.
2022: Fifth Presidential Run
Odinga ran for president under the Azimio la Umoja coalition, losing to William Ruto in a closely contested election. He again alleged electoral irregularities but chose not to challenge the results in court, focusing instead on opposition leadership.
African Union Role
Odinga served as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa, a position he held until his death in 2025, expanding his influence beyond Kenya.
These moments highlight Odinga’s resilience, strategic alliances, and enduring fight for democracy, cementing his legacy as one of Kenya’s most influential political figures.