Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga (80) dies after suffering cardiac arrest

NAIROBI – Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya and a prominent figure in the country’s political history, has died at the age of 80, a source from his office confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday.

According to reports citing Reuters, Odinga had been receiving medical treatment in Kochi, a city in southern India. He suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday and was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. No additional details have been released at this time.

Odinga was a towering figure in Kenyan politics and a long-time opposition leader. He contested the presidency five times without success, with two of those elections — in 2007 and 2017 — ending in major disputes that led to violence and widespread unrest.

Despite never securing the presidency, Odinga played a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s democratic journey. His political activism was central to two historic milestones: the return of multiparty democracy in 1991 and the enactment of a new constitution in 2010.

He also led large-scale protests following the contested 2007 election, which escalated into Kenya’s most severe political crisis since gaining independence. The violence claimed the lives of more than 1,300 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Odinga leaves behind a legacy of resilience, reform, and a lifelong commitment to democratic change in Kenya.

Zimbabwean opposition leader Nelson Chamisa issued a condolence message saying “SADDENED to receive the tragic news of the passing of Mzee Raila Odinga this early morning.

“As many will remember, he was one of the iconic figures in the struggle for democracy and freedom in the fight for a better Africa. May his soul rest in peace.”