Raila Odinga, Former Kenyan Prime Minister and Political Icon, Dies at 80

New Delhi, India ,October 15, 2025

Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya and one of the most influential political figures in the nation’s post-independence history, has died at the age of 80. Odinga passed away on Wednesday while undergoing medical treatment in New Delhi, India, according to a statement released by his family.

The news has sent shockwaves across Kenya and the broader African continent, where Odinga was widely respected as a resilient statesman, reformist, and an enduring symbol of democratic resistance.

Speculation over his health had intensified in recent weeks, with unconfirmed reports suggesting he was in critical condition. However, family members and close political allies had continued to downplay the severity of his illness, asking for privacy and prayers.
Raila Odinga’s political journey spanned over four decades, marked by struggle, sacrifice, and an unyielding pursuit of democratic reform. A son of Kenya’s first Vice President, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Raila carved out his own legacy, weathering detention without trial, political exile, and repeated electoral setbacks.
He ran for the presidency five times—in 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022—but never secured the top office. Despite often alleging electoral fraud and mobilizing widespread protest against disputed results, Odinga maintained a powerful national following and became a central figure in every Kenyan election cycle for more than two decades.

From 2008 to 2013, Odinga served as Kenya’s second Prime Minister, a position re-established as part of a power-sharing agreement following the deadly 2007-08 post-election violence. During his tenure, he was credited with helping steer the country toward a new constitution, adopted in 2010, and advocating for devolution, transparency, and institutional reform.
His final major political role was as the leader of the Azimio la Umoja coalition, under which he made his last bid for the presidency in 2022. Though he lost to William Ruto, Odinga remained a vocal and visible figure in Kenyan public life.
Often described as a master strategist and a tireless campaigner, Odinga combined political savvy with grassroots appeal. His rallies drew massive crowds, and his message of inclusive governance and accountability resonated deeply in a country long divided along ethnic and class lines.

In his later years, Odinga also engaged in continental diplomacy and governance advocacy, earning recognition beyond Kenya’s borders.
As the country begins to mourn one of its most towering statesmen, tributes have begun pouring in from African leaders, civil society groups, and ordinary Kenyans, many of whom saw Odinga not just as a politician, but as a symbol of hope and resilience.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.