Former Kenyan PM Raila Odinga dies at 80

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, one of the nation’s most towering and influential political figures, has died at the age of 80.

Family sources confirmed to the BBC that Mr. Odinga collapsed during a morning walk on Wednesday while receiving medical treatment in India. He was taken to Devamatha Hospital, which stated he suffered a cardiac arrest and was declared dead shortly before 10:00 local time (04:22 GMT).

The news comes despite recent efforts by family and political allies to dismiss speculation about his deteriorating health.

Kenyan President William Ruto led tributes, honouring Mr. Odinga as a “beacon of courage” and a “father of our democracy.” President Ruto has also declared a seven-day period of national mourning.

Supporters of the veteran politician—known affectionately as “Baba” (Father)—have poured onto the streets in his political strongholds in western Kenya and parts of Nairobi to mourn his death.

A Career of Struggle and Reconciliation

Mr. Odinga defined Kenyan politics for decades, consistently advocating for democratic reforms and human rights. His career was marked by extraordinary longevity and intense political drama:

• Political Prisoner: He holds the record for being Kenya’s longest-serving detainee, having been imprisoned twice between 1982 and 1991 for his opposition to one-party rule.
• Contested Elections: He ran for the presidency five times unsuccessfully, rejecting the results on each occasion. Following the 2017 election, he was vindicated when Kenya’s highest court annulled the result and ordered a fresh vote.
• National Crisis: The disputed 2007 election, which he claimed was rigged, triggered Kenya’s worst crisis, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and widespread displacement. The crisis was eventually resolved through a power-sharing deal brokered by Kofi Annan, leading to Mr. Odinga serving as Prime Minister.
• Unity Deals: He became known for his capacity to reconcile with the ruling establishment, twice shaking hands with incumbent presidents after contentious elections—first with Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018, and more recently joining President Ruto in a broad-based government after his 2022 defeat.

Earlier this year, Mr. Odinga ran for the chairpersonship of the African Union Commission, a bid that was backed by the Ruto administration, though he ultimately lost the election.

His death leaves a significant vacuum in Kenyan politics, where he was revered as a master strategist and mass mobiliser with an unparalleled ability to connect with ordinary citizens.