KOCHI, India — Kenyan opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga, one of Africa’s most influential political figures, has died at the age of 80 after suffering a heart attack while receiving medical treatment in southern India, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Hospital authorities at Devamatha Hospital in the state of Kerala told the Associated Press that Odinga collapsed during a morning walk near Kochi. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at a nearby private hospital.

According to local police, Odinga was accompanied by members of his family — including his sister, daughter, and personal doctor — as well as Indian and Kenyan security officials when the incident occurred.

“He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead,” said Krishnan M, additional superintendent of police in Ernakulam district.

Unnamed officials from Odinga’s office also confirmed the news to multiple agencies.

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A Towering Figure in Kenyan Politics

Raila Odinga, born January 7, 1945, was the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president after independence in 1963.
Over his long political career, Odinga emerged as one of Kenya’s most powerful and polarizing leaders, spending decades fighting for democracy, reform, and social justice.

A member of the Luo ethnic community, Odinga spent eight years in prison during the 1980s for his role in pro-democracy activism against the one-party regime of President Daniel arap Moi. His imprisonment, and subsequent years in exile, transformed him into a symbol of resistance and a champion of multiparty democracy in Kenya.

He entered parliament in 1992, marking the start of a political journey that saw him contest the presidency five times — in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022 — but never achieve electoral victory.
In several of those elections, Odinga claimed to have been denied victory through electoral fraud, fueling widespread protests and court challenges.

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Legacy of Reform and Controversy

Odinga’s influence extended beyond party politics. He played a crucial role in pushing for two of Kenya’s most defining reforms:

• The introduction of multiparty democracy in 1991, and
• The adoption of a new constitution in 2010, which restructured the nation’s political system and devolved power to local governments.

As Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013, under a power-sharing deal following Kenya’s disputed 2007 election, Odinga helped stabilize a country wracked by post-election violence that left more than 1,300 people dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.

Despite years of political rivalry, Odinga was respected by allies and opponents alike for his resilience, charisma, and pan-African ideals. His death is expected to reshape Kenya’s political landscape, leaving a significant vacuum within the Azimio la Umoja coalition, which he led as opposition chief.

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Recent Political Reconciliation

In March 2025, Odinga made headlines after signing a political pact with President William Ruto, marking a rare truce between Kenya’s ruling and opposition factions.
The agreement allowed Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja movement to participate in government policymaking and included the appointment of several of his allies to the national cabinet — a move that was seen as an attempt to foster political stability ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Tributes Pour in from Across Africa

Condolences have flooded in from across Kenya and the African continent.

Former Chief Justice and presidential hopeful David Maraga wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“Raila Odinga was a patriot, a pan-Africanist, and a democrat who made significant contributions to the advancement of democracy in Kenya and Africa. The continent has lost a giant.”

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also extended condolences, stating:

“On behalf of the Government of Ethiopia, I extend my sincere condolences on the passing of former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. May he Rest in Peace.”

Many Kenyans took to social media to mourn the passing of a man often described as “Baba,” a Swahili term for “father,” in recognition of his decades-long fight for social and political reform.

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Medical Treatment in India

Odinga had been undergoing Ayurvedic treatment at the Sreedhareeyam Hospital in Koothattukulam, Kerala, where he was said to be receiving therapy for age-related health issues.
Local media, including the Mathrubhumi newspaper, reported that Odinga had been in India for several weeks and was in “stable but delicate” health before his sudden collapse.

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A Pan-African Statesman Remembered

Throughout his career, Raila Odinga was known as a visionary leader committed to democracy, devolution, and good governance.
While critics accused him of populism and political opportunism, even his adversaries recognized his enduring impact on Kenyan politics.

His death marks the end of an era — for Kenya, and for Africa’s long struggle toward political pluralism.

As Kenya prepares for national mourning, many observers note that Odinga’s passing could alter the balance of power ahead of the 2027 elections, leaving the opposition without its most unifying figure.

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Key Facts About Raila Odinga

• Born: January 7, 1945, in Maseno, Kenya
• Died: October 15, 2025, in Kochi, India
• Age: 80
• Tribe: Luo
• Political Affiliation: Azimio la Umoja Coalition / Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
• Positions Held:
  • Member of Parliament (1992–present until death)
  • Prime Minister of Kenya (2008–2013)
• Major Achievements:
  • Championed multiparty democracy (1991)
  • Helped enact Kenya’s 2010 Constitution
  • Signed unity pact with President William Ruto in 2025
• Survived By: Wife Ida Odinga, children, and grandchildren