Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has died at the age of 80 while undergoing medical treatment in India, according to confirmations from sources within his office and Indian authorities. Odinga suffered a cardiac arrest during a morning walk in Kochi, Kerala, and despite immediate medical efforts including CPR, he was declared dead at a nearby hospital on October 15, 2025.
Raila Amolo Odinga was a towering figure in Kenyan politics for over three decades. Born in January 1945, he was a prominent opposition leader, having served as Prime Minister of Kenya from 2008 to 2013. He was also a long-serving Member of Parliament for Langata from 1992 to 2013 and led Kenya’s main opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), from its formation in the early 2000s. Despite his popularity and influence, Odinga ran unsuccessfully for the presidency five times (1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022), asserting on multiple occasions that he had been cheated of victory in the elections, particularly in those since 2007.
Raila Odinga’s political career was deeply shaped by his activism for democracy and reform during an era marked by autocratic rule and ethnic tensions in Kenya. He played key roles in pushing for multiparty democracy in 1991 and the landmark constitution adopted in 2010. His leadership during the post-election violence of 2007-2008 was notable; he spearheaded protests after a disputed election that triggered the worst political unrest Kenya had seen since independence, with over 1,300 deaths and widespread displacement.
Known as a man of the people and sometimes referred to as “Jacom Tinga Baba,” Odinga was seen by many as a liberator and a champion of social justice. His political journey was marked by perseverance despite setbacks, and he remained active in Kenyan politics until his final days, including his last presidential bid in 2022 under the Azimio La Umoja coalition.
Odinga’s death marks the end of an era in Kenyan political history. The nation mourns the passing of a leader who sacrificed much for the advancement of democracy and whose legacy will be remembered across generations. His family, political associates, and the broader Kenyan public have expressed deep sorrow at the loss.
He leaves behind a complex legacy as a unifying yet polarizing figure who shaped Kenya’s modern political landscape through his enduring fight for democratic governance and social equity.
This somber moment calls for reflection on Odinga’s contributions to Kenya’s political evolution and the ongoing challenges the country faces in achieving the democratic ideals he championed.
