Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, one of the most influential and enduring figures in Kenya’s political history, has died at the age of 80. Family sources confirmed that Odinga passed away on Wednesday while receiving medical treatment at a hospital in India.
In recent weeks, speculation had grown about his health, though his family and close allies repeatedly dismissed claims that he was critically ill.
Odinga, affectionately known by supporters as “Baba” (Father), “Agwambo” (Act of God), and “Tinga” (Tractor), was a towering force in Kenyan politics for decades. A relentless campaigner and master political mobiliser, he ran for president five times but never won—often alleging electoral fraud and calling for reforms.
His most notable vindication came in 2017 when Kenya’s Supreme Court annulled the re-election of then-President Uhuru Kenyatta, a decision Odinga hailed as a triumph for democracy. However, he later boycotted the rerun, citing unresolved irregularities.
Despite years of political rivalry, Odinga often reconciled with sitting presidents after fiercely contested elections. Following his defeat in 2022, he struck a deal with President William Ruto to form a “broad-based government,” bringing several of his allies into key positions. He defended the move as a step toward national unity after deadly nationwide protests that culminated in the storming of parliament.
Earlier this year, Odinga was backed by the Ruto administration in his bid to become chairperson of the African Union Commission. Though he enjoyed significant regional support, he ultimately lost to Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
A symbol of Kenya’s pro-democracy struggle, Odinga’s political life was defined by resilience and sacrifice. He was twice detained under the repressive rule of Daniel arap Moi—first from 1982 to 1988 and again from 1989 to 1991—making him Kenya’s longest-serving political prisoner. His imprisonment, initially over an alleged coup attempt in 1982, propelled him into national prominence.
Melissa Enoch
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