Kenya is mourning one of its most influential and enduring political figures. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, often described as the “father of modern Kenyan democracy,” has died in India at the age of 80, according to family sources and hospital officials.
Odinga reportedly collapsed during a morning walk in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment. Doctors at Devamatha Hospital in India confirmed that he suffered a cardiac arrest and was declared dead at 09:52 local time (04:22 GMT) after attempts to resuscitate him failed.
The news has sent shockwaves across Kenya and throughout Africa, marking the end of an era for a man whose political life spanned more than five decades.
A Nation in Mourning
In the hours following the announcement, thousands of Kenyans poured into the streets — especially in Odinga’s strongholds of western Kenya and Nairobi’s Kibera neighborhood — to mourn the passing of the man they affectionately called “Baba” (Father) and “Agwambo” (Act of God).
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who shared both rivalry and reconciliation with Odinga over decades, expressed sorrow, saying the death had “left a silence that echoes across our nation.”
World leaders also paid tribute. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Odinga as a “towering statesman and a cherished friend of India.” Messages of condolence also poured in from African heads of state, opposition leaders, and civil rights organizations who hailed his lifelong struggle for democracy and justice.
A Life of Political Resilience
The Raila Odinga death marks the loss of one of Africa’s most resilient and charismatic leaders. Odinga was a five-time presidential candidate, having contested every election since the 1990s. Despite never winning the presidency, he profoundly shaped Kenya’s political identity and democratic journey.
Born in January 1945 in Maseno, western Kenya, Odinga was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president after independence. From an early age, he was steeped in politics and social activism.
His journey was defined by struggle, defiance, and unrelenting hope. Odinga’s long political career began during the one-party rule of Daniel arap Moi, under whom dissent was brutally suppressed. He became a fierce advocate for multi-party democracy, enduring imprisonment, torture, and exile for his beliefs.
Kenya’s Longest-Serving Political Prisoner
Odinga spent eight years in detention without trial, making him Kenya’s longest-serving political prisoner. He was first detained in 1982, accused of involvement in a failed coup attempt against President Moi — a charge he always denied.
After his release in 1988, he was rearrested the following year and spent another two years in prison. His courage during these years turned him into a symbol of resistance and a national hero for Kenya’s pro-democracy movement.
By the early 1990s, his efforts helped dismantle the one-party system, paving the way for Kenya’s transition to multiparty democracy — a transformation that redefined the nation’s political landscape.
A Polarizing yet Transformative Leader
Though beloved by millions, Odinga’s political career was not without controversy. He contested and lost five presidential elections — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — often claiming that his victories were stolen through electoral fraud.
His most significant challenge came after the 2007 election, when violence erupted following his disputed loss to Mwai Kibaki. More than 1,200 people were killed, and 600,000 displaced, in what became Kenya’s darkest post-independence crisis.
International mediation led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan produced a power-sharing deal that made Odinga Prime Minister under Kibaki — a historic compromise that ended the bloodshed and restored a fragile peace.
Champion of Democratic Reforms
Throughout his life, Raila Odinga championed electoral reform, transparency, and constitutional change. His tireless activism led to the adoption of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which expanded civil rights and decentralized political power.
In 2017, after yet another disputed election, the Supreme Court annulled the results — a decision Odinga hailed as a victory for democracy. However, he boycotted the rerun, calling for electoral reforms before fresh polls.
His willingness to challenge entrenched systems of power made him both feared and respected by opponents and adored by supporters who saw him as the true defender of the people.
Reconciliation and Legacy in Later Years
After losing the 2022 election to William Ruto, Odinga surprised many by cooperating with the new government. The two rivals formed what was called a “broad-based government,” giving Odinga’s allies key roles in the administration.
He defended the move as a step toward national unity, following massive street protests that had paralyzed the country and led to dozens of deaths.
Ruto’s government later supported Odinga’s candidacy for Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) earlier this year. Though he lost the vote to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, his campaign underscored the respect he commanded across Africa.
The Man Behind the Legend
Beyond politics, Raila Odinga was known for his warmth, humor, and deep empathy for ordinary Kenyans. A skilled orator and crowd-puller, he could electrify rallies with his speeches — often mixing humor, conviction, and cultural wisdom.
His nicknames reflected his popularity: “Baba” symbolized his paternal role in Kenyan politics, while “Tinga” (Tractor) — drawn from his party symbol — represented his unstoppable drive and strength.
To his supporters, Odinga wasn’t just a politician — he was a movement, a man who embodied Kenya’s struggles for justice and equality.
An End of an Era
The Raila Odinga death closes a monumental chapter in Kenya’s political history. For more than four decades, he was at the center of every major political transition — from the fight against dictatorship to the birth of multiparty democracy and the struggle for free and fair elections.
He leaves behind a mixed but powerful legacy — of resilience, reform, and relentless pursuit of justice. His courage inspired generations of activists across Africa, and his passing will likely reshape the country’s political landscape once again.
Across Kenya, the grief is palpable. In Kisumu, Nairobi, and Mombasa, mourners have lit candles, waved flags, and sung songs in his honor. His supporters say they will continue his dream of a just, inclusive, and democratic Kenya.
The Road Ahead
As Kenya prepares for national mourning, the focus now shifts to how the country will honor a man who shaped its democracy through struggle, sacrifice, and vision.
Leaders from across Africa are expected to attend Odinga’s state funeral, which will celebrate not just a political leader, but a symbol of Kenya’s unyielding spirit.
Raila Odinga’s journey — from prisoner to prime minister, from rebel to statesman — remains a testament to the resilience of the human will and the enduring fight for freedom.
Source: BBC News | FFR News Analysis
