BREAKING NEWS: Kenyan Opposition Leader, Raila Odinga Dies at 80
Kenya and the entire African continent are mourning the death of Raila Amolo Odinga, the long-standing opposition leader and one of Africa’s most influential political figures. According to reports from Indian authorities, Odinga passed away in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Wednesday at the age of 80.
Sources confirmed that Raila Odinga collapsed while on a morning walk with his sister, daughter, and personal doctor. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Earlier reports from local media in India suggested he suffered a cardiac arrest while receiving medical treatment in Kochi.
Raila Odinga’s death brings to a close a remarkable life defined by resilience, political struggle, and an unyielding fight for democracy in Kenya. Born on January 7, 1945, Odinga was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president. His early political years were marked by activism against authoritarian rule, for which he spent time in detention.
Throughout his career, Odinga became synonymous with Kenya’s democratic reform movement. He was a central figure in the fight for multi-party democracy in the 1990s and later played a leading role in the push for Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which remains one of the most progressive in Africa.
Despite never winning the presidency, Odinga ran five times—in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022—each time galvanizing millions of supporters with his message of reform, equity, and justice. His 2007 presidential run led to one of Kenya’s most tumultuous political moments, sparking post-election violence that changed the country’s political landscape forever.
Odinga’s influence extended far beyond politics. To many Kenyans, he represented hope, courage, and the spirit of defiance against injustice. His ability to mobilize grassroots support and maintain relevance across decades of shifting political tides cemented his status as a national icon.
As news of his death spreads, tributes are pouring in from across Africa and beyond. Leaders, political allies, and former rivals have described him as a champion of democracy and a pillar of African politics.
His passing leaves a deep void in Kenya’s opposition and raises questions about the future of his political movement—the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)—and who will take up his mantle as the voice of reform.
Raila Odinga will be remembered not only for his political battles but for his vision of a fairer Kenya—one where justice, freedom, and opportunity belong to all.
He also contested the Africa Union chairmanship which he lost to Ambassador Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, from Djibouti, East Africa region
