Raila Odinga, Kenya’s veteran opposition leader and democracy icon, dies at 80

By Associated Press | Nairobi, Kenya

Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister and one of Africa’s most influential opposition figures, has died at the age of 80 while on a trip to India.

The Devamatha Hospital in Kerala State confirmed that Odinga suffered a cardiac arrest during a morning walk and was pronounced dead shortly after being rushed to the hospital.

Odinga’s passing marks the end of an era in Kenyan politics. For more than four decades, he was a symbol of resistance, reform, and resilience — a man whose relentless pursuit of democracy reshaped Kenya’s political landscape.

Often described as “the people’s president,” Odinga was a central figure in every major election since the 1990s, running unsuccessfully for the presidency five times. His fiery populism and grassroots appeal made him a household name far beyond Kenya’s borders.

From opposition firebrand to statesman

Born in Kisumu on January 7, 1945, to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, Raila Odinga carried his father’s political legacy into the heart of Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy.

Educated in East Germany, Odinga returned home as an engineer and lecturer before joining the opposition against the authoritarian regime of President Daniel arap Moi. His activism led to years of imprisonment and alleged torture following accusations of involvement in a failed 1982 coup attempt — charges he always denied.

Despite imprisonment and exile, Odinga’s resolve only grew stronger. By the early 1990s, he had become a driving force in Kenya’s transition from single-party rule to democracy.

The 2007 election and aftermath

Odinga’s most defining political moment came in 2007 when he challenged incumbent President Mwai Kibaki in an election that sparked one of Kenya’s darkest chapters. His narrow defeat — 44% to Kibaki’s 46% — was widely disputed, triggering widespread violence that left more than 1,000 people dead.

Although Odinga himself was never accused of incitement, the unrest led to international intervention and the formation of a unity government, with Odinga appointed as Prime Minister — a role in which he sought national reconciliation and reform.

A legacy beyond the presidency

Despite never winning the presidency, Odinga remained a towering political force — respected by allies and rivals alike. In recent years, he signed a political pact with President William Ruto, marking a rare period of cooperation that saw members of his opposition party join the cabinet.

Tributes have poured in from across Africa, celebrating Odinga as a freedom fighter, visionary, and statesman who helped shape the democratic trajectory of not only Kenya but the continent.

Odinga is survived by his wife, Ida, and their children. His death leaves an irreplaceable void in African politics and a lasting legacy of courage, conviction, and hope.