Kenya’s 5-time opposition Leader Raila Odinga dies at 80

A towering figure in Kenyan politics Sudden collapse during morning walk

Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga passed away on Wednesday morning in Kochi, India, after suffering a cardiac arrest. The 80-year-old politician collapsed during a morning walk within the grounds of an Ayurvedic wellness center where he had been undergoing treatment. Despite being rushed to Devamatha Hospital in Koothattukulam, he was pronounced dead at 9:52 am Indian Standard Time.

A towering figure in Kenyan politics

Odinga was a towering figure in Kenyan politics, having served as the country’s Prime Minister between 2008 and 2013 following a power-sharing agreement brokered after the violent 2007 elections. His political journey spanned more than three decades, during which he consistently positioned himself as a champion of democracy, reform, and inclusivity.

A lifetime in the opposition

Odinga entered parliament in 1992, and over the years, became known as the face of opposition in Kenya. He ran for the presidency five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — and maintained that he was denied victory through electoral fraud in four of those contests. His steadfast stance made him both a revered and polarizing figure.

Violence and reconciliation

The aftermath of the 2007 elections was particularly violent, with ethnic clashes claiming more than 1,100 lives and displacing hundreds of thousands. Odinga and then-President Mwai Kibaki eventually agreed to a coalition government, where Odinga assumed the newly created position of Prime Minister. In a remarkable shift, Odinga later reconciled with his long-time rivals — Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018 and President William Ruto in 2023 — moments that signaled an end to years of political animosity and division.

Legacy of resistance and reform

Born into a politically influential family — his father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, was Kenya’s first vice president — Raila carved out his own legacy as a political reformist and voice of dissent. A former political detainee, he was imprisoned without trial in the 1980s for pushing for multi-party democracy. Throughout his career, he championed anti-corruption, social welfare programs, universal healthcare, and education reforms.

Rooted in the Luo Heartland

Odinga remained deeply rooted in his native Luo community in western Kenya, a region long associated with the opposition and often marginalized by successive governments. Despite repeated setbacks at the ballot box, his support in the region remained unwavering, and he was affectionately referred to as “Baba” — father — by his followers.

A political dynasty

The Odinga and Kenyatta families have been central to Kenya’s post-independence political history. While not as wealthy as his contemporaries, Odinga presided over a modest business empire with interests in energy and manufacturing. His enduring presence in public life, even in his later years, underscored his deep commitment to shaping Kenya’s future.

End of an era

Raila Odinga’s death marks the end of an era for Kenya — a nation he influenced profoundly, whether in opposition or in government. His life was defined by a relentless pursuit of justice, national unity, and a better Kenya. For many, he will be remembered not just for the elections he lost, but for the causes he never stopped fighting for.