NAIROBI, Oct 15 – Raila Odinga, Kenya’s long-time opposition leader and a pivotal figure in the country’s politics, has passed away at the age of 80. He died in India where he had been receiving medical treatment, according to sources close to his family. The hospital in Kochi reported that he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Odinga’s death marks the end of a remarkable political career that spanned several decades, during which he earned the admiration and loyalty of millions, especially from Kenya’s Luo community and urban Nairobi. His nickname, “Agwambo” or “the mysterious one,” reflected his ability to forge alliances with even his fiercest rivals, making him one of Kenya’s most iconic and controversial figures.
The former Prime Minister of Kenya, Odinga’s political journey was shaped by both resilience and a commitment to democratic reforms. His role in the fight for multi-party democracy in the early 1990s and in drafting Kenya’s 2010 constitution cemented his legacy as a champion of political freedom. Despite five unsuccessful presidential bids, Odinga remained a formidable presence in the political landscape.
A son of Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first vice president, Raila’s political life was deeply intertwined with Kenya’s turbulent history. He was first imprisoned in 1982 after a failed coup against President Daniel arap Moi. His imprisonment, which lasted for nine years, included six years in solitary confinement. In later years, Odinga often spoke about how his time in detention helped shape his views on forgiveness and political tolerance.
Throughout his career, Odinga built and broke alliances with various political figures. His partnership with President Mwai Kibaki in the 2008 power-sharing agreement following the violent aftermath of the disputed 2007 election was a turning point in Kenya’s political history. Odinga also played a critical role in ending the post-election violence of 2007, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.
In 2017, Odinga once again found himself in the center of controversy following a disputed election. He contested the results, but the Supreme Court upheld President Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory. Undeterred, Odinga later reconciled with Kenyatta in what became known as the “Handshake,” an agreement aimed at promoting national unity. However, he lost the 2022 election to current President William Ruto and challenged the results, though his case was dismissed by the courts.
In 2024, Odinga stunned many by striking a deal with Ruto, effectively leaving Kenya without a formal opposition for the first time in years. While some saw the move as a political maneuver, others saw it as the final chapter in his long and complex career.
International figures have expressed condolences following his passing. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a “towering statesman,” while African Union officials and leaders across the continent, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, mourned the loss, calling it a tragedy not only for Kenya but for all of Africa.
Odinga’s death leaves behind a deep void in Kenyan politics, and his legacy as a fighter for democracy and political freedom will continue to shape the country’s future for years to come.
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