Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga has died at the age of 80, family sources have confirmed. His death occurred while he was receiving medical treatment in a hospital in India.
In recent weeks, there was speculation regarding his health, but his family and political allies had downplayed reports suggesting he was critically ill. The news of his passing has elicited condolences from various world leaders, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Odinga was a pivotal figure in Kenyan politics, having run for the presidency five times, each time contesting the outcomes that he claimed were marred by electoral fraud.
His fight for democracy saw him vindicated by Kenya's highest court after the 2017 elections, which led to the annulment of Uhuru Kenyatta's victory. However, Odinga boycotted the subsequent rerun, insisting on electoral reforms.
The tumultuous elections of 2007 marked a significant crisis in Kenya's history, resulting in extensive violence and over 1,200 deaths, with many displaced. A power-sharing deal brokered by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan eventually placed him in the position of Prime Minister.
Despite facing numerous electoral defeats, including a recent one in 2022, Odinga made efforts toward national unity, collaborating with the current President William Ruto and bringing many of his allies into key government roles.
In earlier years, Odinga was also recognized as Kenya's longest-serving political detainee, having spent years in prison during the oppressive regime of Daniel arap Moi. His imprisonment in 1982, initially for attempting to stage a coup, thrust him onto the national political stage.
He is celebrated as a political mobilizer who drew significant crowds to his rallies and built a loyal base of supporters who affectionately referred to him as Baba (Father), Agwambo (Act of God), and Tinga (Tractor).
Raila Odinga's contributions to the struggle for human rights and democratic freedoms have left an indelible mark on Kenya's political landscape, ensuring he will be remembered as a key player in the country's history.
