Kenya is grappling with a profound national loss following the announcement of the passing of Raila Amolo Odinga, the former Prime Minister and a towering figure in the country's politics for over three decades. He was 80 years old.
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| Fmr. PM Raila Odinga |
The veteran opposition leader died on the morning of Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Koothattukulam, Kerala, India. According to reports from Indian authorities and hospital officials, the former Prime Minister suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during his morning walk and could not be revived despite being rushed to the hospital. He was in India for Ayurvedic treatment and was accompanied by his daughter and other family members at the time of his passing.
A Political Journey Like No Other
Affectionately known as "Baba" and "Agwambo" by his supporters, Raila Odinga's life was a defining thread in the fabric of modern Kenyan history.
Born on January 7, 1945, in Maseno, he was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya's first Vice President. His own political career was marked by relentless struggle and resilience. After studying mechanical engineering in the former East Germany, he returned to Kenya, where his activism for multi-party democracy in the 1980s led to repeated arrests and detentions without trial.
His formal entry into electoral politics came in 1992 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Langata constituency, a position he would hold for over two decades. He made his first presidential bid in 1997, and would go on to contest the presidency four more times, though the ultimate prize eluded him.
The Architect of Modern Kenya
Despite never becoming president, Raila Odinga's legacy is inextricably linked to Kenya's most significant democratic achievements.
✓ Champion of Multi-Party Democracy: His activism in the 1990s was crucial in the fight to end the one-party state, ushering in a new era of political pluralism.
✓ The 2010 Constitution: He was a relentless fighter for a new constitution, and his efforts were instrumental in the passage of the landmark 2010 constitution that redefined Kenya's governance.
✓ A Leader for Peace and Conflict: His most defining political moment came after the violently disputed 2007 presidential election. The ensuing crisis claimed over 1,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands. In a pivotal moment for the nation, an internationally-mediated peace process led to a power-sharing agreement, with Odinga taking the newly created role of Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, steering the country toward stability and reconciliation.
A Complex and Enduring Legacy
Raila Odinga was a polarizing yet inescapable force in Kenyan public life. To his millions of supporters, he was the unwavering "people's president," a symbol of resistance and the pursuit of social justice. His critics, however, often pointed to his fiery political style and his role in deeply contested elections.
In his later years, his stature as an elder statesman grew. Just months before his death, he was dispatched by President William Ruto to mediate a crisis in South Sudan, a testament to his diplomatic clout even among political rivals. He had also recently pursued continental leadership, though his bid for the African Union Commission Chairperson ended in a loss earlier in 2025.
A Nation's Grief and an Uncertain Future
News of his passing has thrown Kenya into a period of national mourning, with an outpouring of grief from all corners of the country. Leaders from across the political spectrum have issued condolences, highlighting his immense contribution to the nation.
His passing marks not just the end of a personal journey, but the closing of a major chapter in Kenya's political history. It creates a significant void in the opposition and leaves his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), facing an immediate leadership vacuum and questions of succession.
As Kenya comes to terms with this monumental loss, the nation reflects on the life of a man who, for better or worse, shaped its destiny for generations. The focus now turns to honoring his memory and navigating a future without one of its most formidable sons.
Funeral arrangements and official tributes are expected to be announced in the coming days.
Ruzeki's condolence message:
"The BREAKING NEWS of Raila Odinga's passing (whether in India or Nairobi) is a seismic loss for Kenya and Africa.In this moment of profound grief, let us remember that every emotion is valid. It is okay to be shattered, to be angry, to feel a void that seems impossible to fill. It is okay to gather in the streets he walked, to peacefully demonstrate the passion he inspired, to cry the tears of a people mourning a father.Love him or disagree with him, he was undeniably a giant who shaped Kenya. He was a man of conviction, a fighter, and a Kenyan we will all miss.On behalf of Shadoww News, may his family, supporters, and all of Kenya find strength.May Raila Amollo Odinga rest eternally amongst the GREATEST OF MEN."
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